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A 


THE STORY OF THE WONDERFUL WHITE FLOWER (pa{?e 101) 




POLLY 

OF THE HOSPITAL STAFF 

BY 

EMMA C. DOWD 


WITH ILLUSTRATIONS 



BOSTON AND NEW YORK 
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 
Ctitjerj^ibe CambritJ0e 
1912 



COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY EMMA C. DOWD 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 


Published March iqi2 


C,C!.A30'J7G8 


TO 

THE MOTHER 
OF 

‘‘POLLY” 


I 


I 


1 




I 

> 

1 

i 

« 

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1 

/ 


CONTENTS 


I. The Cherry-Pudding Story 1 

II. The Election op Polly 8 

III. POPOVER 21 

IV. David 37 

V. With the Assistance of Lone Star 50 

VI. Elsie’s Birthday 67 . 

VII. The Little Sad Lady 87 

VIII. A Warning from Aunt Jane 100 

IX. A Night op Song 118 

X. The Ward’s Anniversary 137 

XI. Polly plays the Part of Eva 160 

XII. The Kidnaping of Polly 183 

XIII. The Return 206 

XIV. Polly’s “Anne Sisters” 222 

XV. A Bid for Polly 244 

XVI. A Secret 261 

XVII. The Wedding 276 


0 



ILLUSTRATIONS 


The Story op the Wonderful White Flower (p. 101) ^ 

Frontis'piece 

“Once upon a time,” she began 4 ^ 

Forgetting all but the music she loved 246 

This document makes you legally our own 
DAUGHTER 288 


From drawings by Irma Dirkmeaux 



POLLY OF THE HOSPITAL 
STAFF 

CHAPTER I 

THE CHERRY-PUDDING STORY 

T he June breeze hurried up from the 
harbor to the big house on the hill, 
and fluttered playfully past the win- 
dow vines into the children's convalescent 
ward. It was a common saying at the hospi- 
tal that the tidal breeze always reached the 
children's ward flrst. Sometimes the little 
people were waiting for it, ready with their 
welcome; but to-day there were none to 
laugh a greeting. The room was very quiet. 
The occupants of the little white cots had 
slept unusually long, and the few that had 
awakened from their afternoon naps were 
still too drowsy to be astir. Besides, Polly 
was not there, and the ward was never the 
same without Polly. 

As the young nurse in charge passed noise- 
1 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


lessly between the rows of beds, a small hand 
pulled at her apron. 

^‘Ain^t it ^most time for Polly to come?^^ 
Yes, I think she will be back pretty soon 
now.^^ Miss Lucy smiled down into the wist- 
ful little face. 

^‘1 want Polly to tell me a story,’^ Elsie 
went on, with a bit of a whine; ^‘my hip 
aches so bad.^^ 

^^Does it feel worse to-day? asked the 
nurse sympathetically. 

^^No ; I guess not,’’ answered the little 
girl, glad of a listener. It aches all the time, 
’cept when I’m asleep or Polly’s tollin’ 
stories.” 

know,” and Miss Lucy’s face grew 
grave. “We shall miss Polly.” 

“When’s she goin’ home?” The blue eyes 
went suddenly anxious. 

“Oh, not until next week!” was the cheer- 
ful response. “There’ll be time for plenty 
of stories before then.” 

“A-h-h!” wailed little French Aim4e, 
from the opposite cot. “Police go?” 

“Why, yes,” smiled Miss Lucy, with a 
quick turn. “Polly is almost well, and well 
2 


The Cherry-Pudding Story 


little girls don^t stay at the hospital, you 
know. Pretty soon you will go home, too.^^ 

The nurse passed on, but Aim^e^s face re- 
mained clouded. Next week — ^no Pollee! 

Other ears besides Aim^e’s had overheard 
the news about Polly. Maggie O’Donnell 
and Otto Krilofif stared at each other in dis- 
may. Why, Polly had been there long before 
they came! It had never occurred to them 
that Polly could leave. 

WTien Miss Lucy reached Maggie’s bed, 
the little girl was softly crying. 

— don’t — want — Polly to go!” she 
sobbed. 

Dear me ! dear me ! ” exclaimed the nurse, 
*‘this will never do!” Then, listening, she 
whispered, ^^Hark! Who is that skipping 
along the hall?” 

At the instant, the door opened, and a lit- 
tle girl, her brown eyes shining with pleasure, 
her cheeks pink as the poppies on the front 
lawn, and her yellow curls all tossed and 
tumbled by the wind, whirled into the ward. 

'Dh, Polly!” passed, a breath of joy, from 
lip to lip. 

^^I’ve had a lovelicious time!” she began. 

3 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


We went Vay down to Rockmoor! — Did 
you ever ride in an auto, Miss Lucy?^^ 

The nurse nodded happily. It was good to 
have Polly back. 

Seems ^s if you ^d never come ! ” broke out 
Elsie Meyer. Ve been waitin^ an^ waitin^ 
for a story. 

^‘1^11 have my things off in a minute,’’ re- 
sponded Polly, ‘'and you’ll say my story is 
worth waiting for.” 

“A new one?” 

“Brand-new!” 

“ Where ’d you get it?” 

“A lady told me — a lady Dr. Dudley 
took me to see. It’s a ‘Cherry-Pudding 
Story.’ — Oh, you just wait till I put my 
coat and hat away, and change my dress!” 
Polly danced off, the young nurse following 
with a soft sigh. What should she do with- 
out this little sunshine-maker! 

The ward was wide awake when Polly re- 
turned. The few that were far enough along 
to be up and dressed had left their cots, and 
were grouped around Elsie Meyer’s bed, 
each solicitous for the closest seat to the 
story-teller. 


4 



ONCE UPON A TIME,” SHE BEGAN 










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1 ^ ^ 1 





The Cherry-Pudding Story 


''Everybody ready? questioned Polly, 
settling herself comfortably in the little 
rocker. Then she popped up. "You need 
this chair, Leonora, more than I do;^' and 
before the lame girl had time to protest the 
exchange had been made. 

"Polly, talk loud, so I can hear!” piped up 
a shrill voice in the farther corner of the 
ward. 

"Sure I will, Linus,” was the cheery re- 
sponse. "You mustnT miss a word of the 
' Cherry-Pudding story. ^ ” 

"Once upon a time,” she began, in the 
beautiful old way that all fanciful stories 
should begin; and not the breath of a rustle 
broke the sound of her gentle voice, while she 
narrated the fortunes of the young king who 
loved stories so much that he decided to wed 
only the girl that would write him a fresh one 
every day. 

As the little people followed the outcome 
of the royal edict, their interest grew intense, 
for Polly was a real story-teller, sweeping her 
listeners along with the narrative until all 
else was forgotten. 

When, after long despairing days, young 
5 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


King Cerise found his future queen in the 
very last girl, one who lived her stories in- 
stead of writing them, and was as charming 
and good as she was clever, the small folks 
became radiantly glad, and the tale drew to 
a happy end with the king and queen living 
beautiful stories and cherry puddings in 
every home all over the land. 

Nobody spoke as Polly stopped. Then 
little Linus, away over in the corner, piped 
up: — 

want some cherry pudding!’’ 

That made them laugh, and set the tongues 
going. 

^^Aw, ye’ll have ter wait till ye git home!” 
returned Cornelius O’Shaughnessy. 

‘^Why will he? Why can’t we all have 
some. Miss Lucy? ” 

The rest fairly held their breath at Elsie 
Meyer’s boldness. 

The nurse laughed. Perhaps,” she began 
slowly, — ^^mind, I don’t say for sure, but 
only perhaps, — if you ’ll all live a brave, pa- 
tient, cheerful story, with never a bit of a 
whine in it, from now until to-morrow noon, 
— well, who knows what may happen!” 

6 


The Cherry-Pudding Story 


cherry pudding may!^^ cried the irre- 
pressible Elsie. ^^Oh, Miss Lucy, I won^t 
whine or cry, no matter how bad you hurt 
my hip when you dress it — not the teentiest 
bit! See if I do 1^^ 

^^Will Polly make up our stories for us?’’ 
queried Leonora Hewitt. 

^^Why, Miss Lucy has made one for all of 
us,” laughed Polly. “We are to be brave and 
patient and not make a fuss about anything, 
and help everybody else to be happy — is n’t 
that what you meant. Miss Lucy?” 

“Oh,” replied the little lame girl, “guess 
that’ll be a hard kind!” 

“Beautiful stories are not often easy to 
live,” smiled the young nurse; “but let’s see 
which of us can live the best one.” 

“Polly will!” cried Maggie O’Donnell and 
Otto Kriloff together. 


CHAPTER II 


THE ELECTION OF POLLY 

HE convalescent ward was finishing 



its noonday feast when Miss Hor- 


JL tensia Price appeared. Miss Hortensia 
Price was straight and tall, with sombre black 
eyes and thin, serious lips. Many of the child- 
ren were greatly in awe of the dignified 
nurse; but Elsie Meyer was bold enough to 
announce: — 

“We^re livin^ a cherry-pudding story 
And she beamed up from her ruby-colored 
plate. 

^‘What?’^ scowled the visitor. 

The tone was puzzled rather than harsh, 
yet Elsie shrank back in sudden abashment. 

Polly told us a story yesterday, ex- 
plained Miss Lucy, the pink deepening on 
her delicate cheeks, ^^and it made the child- 
ren want some cherry pudding for dinner. 
It is not rich,^^ she added apologetically. 

The elder nurse responded only with a 


8 


The Election of Polly 


courteous ^ ^ Oh and then remarked, '^What 
I came down to say is this: I shall send you 
three cases from my ward at half-past two 
o’clock this afternoon.” 

'^All right,” was the cordial answer. '^We 
shall be glad to welcome them to our little 
family.” 

'^High Price is awful solemn to-day,” 
whispered Maggie O’Donnell to Ethel Jones, 
as the door shut. 

^^High Price?” repeated Ethel, in a per- 
plexed voice. 

^'Sh!” breathed the other. She’s 'High 
Price,’ and Miss Lucy’s 'Low Price,’ ’cause 
she’s so high and mighty and tall and every- 
thing, and Miss Lucy’s kind o’ short and lit- 
tle and so darling, and they ain’t any rela- 
tion either. I’m glad they ain’t,” she added 
decidedly. "I would n’t have Miss Lucy re- 
lated to her for anything!” 

"Oh, no!” returned Ethel, comprehend- 
ingly, as she scraped her plate for a last 
morsel of pudding. 

The three "cases,” which appeared in the 
convalescent ward promptly at the hour 
named, proved to be two girls and a boy, — 
9 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Brida MacCarthy, Isabel Smith, and Moses 
Cohn. Polly did her share in routing the 
evident fears of the small strangers, their 
wide, anxious eyes showing that they dreaded 
what might lie ahead of them in these un- 
known quarters. 

The wonderful giant story, which ended 
merrily, — as all of Polly’s stories did end, 

— made Moses her valiant follower as long 
as he remained in the ward; the tender little 
slumber song, which Polly’s mother had 
taught her, put the tiny Isabel to sleep ; and 
the verses about the Kit-Cat Luncheon” 
completely won the heart of Irish Brida. 

^‘I got a kitty, too!” she confided. ‘^Her 
name ’s Popover, ’cause when the kitties was 
all little, an’ runnin’ round, an’ playin’, she’d 
pop right over on her back, jus’ as funny! 
She’s all black concept a little spot o’ white 

— oh, me kitty is the prettiest kitty in town ! ” 

'^How shall I ever get along without her!” 

sighed the young nurse, as she watched Polly 
flitting about like a sprite, comforting restless 
little patients, hushing, with her ready tact, 
quarrelsome tongues, and winning every 
heart by her gentle, loving ways. Oh, the 
10 


The Election of Polly 


ward would be lonely indeed without Polly 
May! None realized this more than Miss 
Lucy, unless it were Dr. Dudley, the cheery 
house physician, whom all the children 
adored. 

As the day set for Polly^s going came near 
and nearer, the mourning of the small con- 
valescents increased, until the ward would 
have been in danger of continual tears if it 
had not been for Polly herself. She was 
gayer than ever, telling the funniest stories 
and singing the merriest songs, and making 
her little friends half forget that the good 
times were not going to last. The children 
never guessed that this was almost as much 
to help herself over the hard place as to cheer 
them. In fact, they believed that her unusual 
high spirits came of her being glad to leave 
the hospital. Even Miss Lucy could nT quite 
understand it all. But Dr. Dudley knew; he 
had seen her face when she had been told 
that she was soon to go. 

It was not strange that Polly should dread 
parting from the people with whom she had 
been so happy, for no mother or father or 
pleasant home was waiting for her, — only 
11 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Aunt Jane, in the cramped, dingy little tene- 
ment, — Aunt Jane and her six unruly girls 
and boys. Polly did not permit herself to think 
much about going away, however, and the 
last evening found her cheerful still. Then 
Elsie Meyer began her doleful suggestions. 

wonder how often your Aunt Jane ^11 
let you come and see us. P’r’aps she wonT 
let you come at all — oh, my! If she donT, 
maybe we ’ll never see you again 1 ” 

Nonsense, Elsie! don’t go to conjuring 
up any such thing!” broke in Miss Lucy’s 
laughing voice. “Of course — why, Polly!” 
For the little girl had been brought suddenly 
face to face with an awful possibility, and her 
courage had given way. She was sobbing on 
the foot of Elsie’s bed. 

A low rap on the half-open door sent Miss 
Lucy thither, and Polly heard Dr. Dudley 
speak her name. A new terror took instant 
possession of her heart. The Doctor had come 
to take her home! She did not stop to reason. 
Dropping to the floor, she crept softly under 
the cot, from there to the next and the next. 
Her course was straight to the door through 
which the physician had entered, and by the 
12 


The Election of Polly 


time he was halfway across the room she had 
wriggled herself clear of the last cot, and was 
over the sill and in the corridor, the twilight 
aiding her escape. Regaining her feet, she 
darted noiselessly down the long hall. At the 
head of the stairs she paused. On the floor 
below was a small alcove where she might 
hide. Making sure that no one was in sight, 
she sped down, but as she reached the lower 
step one of the nurses opened the door op- 
posite. 

^^What are you doing down here, Polly 
May?^’ 

The question was pleasant, but the answer 
was miserably halting. 

— I — thought — I^d just — come — 

'^Did Miss Price send you for anything?^’ 

This time the child detected a ring of sus- 
picion. 

^^Oh, no! I — I— 

^^Well, you^d better go right back. It is 
too late to be running around for play. The 
halls must be kept quiet. 

^^Yes, Miss Bemont,^^ responded Polly 
meekly, and turned to see Dr. Dudley at the 
head of the flight. 


13 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


There was nothing to do but to go for- 
ward, which she did, with downcast eyes and 
a throbbing heart. 

^^Oh, here you are exclaimed the physi- 
cian. ^^IVe been looking for you. I thought 
you would like to take a ride up to Warring- 
ford. I shall be back before your bedtime, 
and Miss Lucy says — why. Thistledown! 
what is the matter?’^ 

The revulsion had been too great, and, 
leaning against the Doctor^s arm, Polly was 
softly sobbing. 

The physician sat down on the stairs, and 
drew the fair little head to his shoulder. In 
a minute he knew it all, — the sudden fear 
that had assailed her, the creeping flight 
across the ward, and the baffled attempt at 
hiding. As he listened, his eyes grew grave 
and tender, for in the broken little confes- 
sion he comprehended the child’s unspoken 
abhorrence of the life she had left behind 
when she had come to the hospital five 
months before. 

wouldn’t worry about going back to' 
Aunt Jane’s,” he said brightly. ^^You may 
be sure I shan’t let her monopolize my little 
14 


The Election of Polly 


Polly. Now, run along and get on your hat 
and coat, for the air is growing cool. We ^11 
have a nice spin up to Warringford, and 
you ^11 sleep all the better for it.^’ 

Polly skipped away smiling, but presently 
was down in the office, — without her wraps. 

‘^The children feel so bad to have me go,” 
she said soberly, guess I^d better stay 
with them — seeing it^s the last night.” 
Her lip quivered. 

Selfish little pigs!” returned the Doctor. 
'^They are n^t willing anybody else shall 
have a taste of you.” 

Polly laughed. ^^Well, they want me to 
tell them a story, so I ’d better, don^t you 
think?” 

suppose it^s kinder to them than to go 
for a joy ride; but it’s hard on me.” 

Dr. Dudley assumed a scowl of disap- 
proval. 

The child hesitated. ^^You know I’d 
rather go with you,” she said sweetly; ^^but 
they—” 

“I understand all about it, brave little 
woman,” throwing an arm around the slen- 
der shoulders, ^^and I won’t make it any 
15 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


harder for you. Go and tell your story, and 
let it be a merry one. Remember, that the 
Doctor’s order! Good-night.” 

Polly threw him a kiss from the doorway, 
and then he heard her light footfalls on the 
stairs. 

It was one of his few leisure hours, and he 
sat for a long time looking out on the quiet 
street, where his small motor car stood 
waiting. He had no inclination for a spin 
to Warringford now; he was thinking too 
deeply about the little girl who had held so 
large a share of his big heart since the day 
when he had first seen her, lying so white and 
still, with the life all but crushed out of her. 
It had not seemed possible then that she 
would ever again dance around like other 
children ; yet here she was, without even the 
bit of a limp — and going home to-morrow! 
Home! He could imagine the kind of place it 
was, and he shook his head gravely over the 
picture. Twice in the first months of Polly’s 
stay at the hospital her aunt had been to visit 
her; recently she had not appeared. He re- 
collected her well, — a tall, lean woman, with 
unshapely garments, and a strident voice. 

la 


The Election of Polly 


At eight o^clock Dr. Dudley cranked up 
his machine, and started away; but he did 
not go in the direction of Warringford. He 
turned down one of the narrow streets that 
led to Aunt Janets home. 

Meantime, up in the ward, Polly had been 
following the Doctor’s directions until the 
children had laughed themselves happy. 

did n’t let on that I saw you scoot un- 
der the bed when the Doctor came,” Elsie 
Meyer whispered to Polly, at the first 
chance. ^'Aim^e saw you, an’ Brida saw 
you, an’ Francesca saw you; but we did n’t 
say nothin’ when Miss Lucy an’ the Doctor 
was wonderin’ where you could be. What 
made you go that way?” 

‘^Come, Polly, say good-night,” called the 
nurse. 

And with a soft, ^H’ll tell you sometime, 
Elsie,” she obeyed. 

The next morning Polly went about the 
little helpful tasks that she had, one after 
another, taken upon herself, performing 
each with even more than her usual care, 
feeling a strange ache in her heart at the 
thought of its being the last time. 

17 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


It was shortly after ten o^clock that Dr. 
Dudley appeared at the door. 

Polly he called. 

She ran to him, but her answering smile 
was pathetic, for her lip quivered, as she 
said, ^^1^11 be ready in a minute.^^ 

‘^You are ready now,^^ he returned, and 
taking her hand in his led her out into the 
hall. 

i^I want you for a little while,’’ was all he 
said, as they went downstairs together. 

Polly was a bit surprised when she found 
that their destination was the great room 
where the Board” was in session, but she 
could not be afraid with Dr. Dudley; so she 
smiled to all the gentlemen, and answered 
their questions in her soft, sweet voice, and 
behaved quite like the little lady that the 
physician had pictured to them. 

Presently Dr. Dudley left her, while he 
talked in low tones with the white-haired 
man at the head of the long table. When he 
came back, he asked : — 

Polly, how should you like to stay here at 
the hospital all summer, and help Miss Lucy 
and me to take care of your little friends?” 

18 


The Election of Polly 


The light that flashed into Polly^s brown 
eyes gave them the gleam of a sunny brook. 
She clasped her small hands ecstatically, 
crying, — o — h! it would be — super- 

bon-donjical!^’ 

The gentlemen laughed, the tall, white- 
haired one until his shoulders shook. Then 
he rapped on the table, and said something 
about ‘‘Miss Polly May,^’ to which the little 
girl did nT pay much attention, and there 
was a big chorus of ayes. After that Polly 
bade them all good-bye, and went upstairs 
with Dr. Dudley. 

“Children, I have something to tell you,^’ 
the physician announced. 

Everybody was at once alert. A solemn 
hush fell on the ward. 

“What do you think he went on; — 
“Polly May is a full-fledged member of the 
hospital staff!’’ 

Nobody spoke. Nobody even smiled but 
Miss Lucy. Black eyes and brown eyes, blue 
eyes and gray eyes stared uncomprehend- 
ingly at the Doctor. 

“You don’t quite understand that, do 
you?” he laughed. “Well, it means that 
19 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Polly is n’t going home to her aunt. Polly is 
going to stay with you!” 

Then what squeals and shouts and shrieks 
of joy from all over the ward! 


CHAPTER III 


POPOVER 

F or a week the convalescent ward 
laughed and sang and almost forgot 
that it was a part of the big House 
of Suffering. Polly herself beamed on every- 
body, and all the hospital people seemed to 
agree that very good fortune had come to 
her, and to be glad in it. 

Then there came a hot day which tried the 
patience of the small invalids. Polly flitted 
from cot to cot with her little fluttering fan 
and her cooling drinks, i The afternoon 
breeze had not yet arrived when Brida Mac- 
Carthy begged for a story. 

^‘It will have to be an old one,’’ was the 
smiling response, for Polly’s supply of cat 
tales — the kind which the little Irish girl 
invariably wanted — was limited. 

I don’t care what ’t is,” whined Brida, — 
anything ’bout a kitty. Oh, don’t I wisht I 
had me own darlin’ Popover right here in me 
21 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


arms! — Why don^t yer begin? urged the 
fretful voice, for Polly sat gazing at the pol- 
ished floor. 

A kindly, fascinating scheme was taking 
shape in the story-teller’s brain. 

^‘Oh, Brida,” she cried, in suppressed 
eagerness, lowering her voice to a whisper 
that should not reach Miss Lucy at the other 
end of the ward, ^ ^ I ’ ve thought of the loveliest 
thing! Your home is n’t very far from here, 
is it?” 

good ways — why?” and Brida’s little 
pale, freckled face showed only mild interest. 

^‘But where do you live — when you’re 
home?” Polly insisted. 

739 Liberty Street, in the basement. 
WTiat yer want to know for?” 

^‘Oh, Liberty Street is right down by 
Union! I can find that easy enough! Say, 
don’t you s’pose your mother ’d let me take 
Popover and bring her up here? You know 
Miss Lucy wants me to go out to walk every 
day now.” 

^ ‘ Oh , Polly ! ” The pale face grew pink with 
joy. “Sure, me mother ’d let her come! Oh, 
Polly, if you would!” 

22 


Popover 


“I will! And I won’t say a word to Miss 
Lucy about it till Popover is here! It’s her 
birthday to-day, and it’ll be such a beautiful 
surprise! I’ve been wishing and wishing we 
had something to give her.” 

^^Oh, not me darlin’ kitty!” returned 
Brida, in sudden dismay. 

No, no ! ” laughed Polly reassuringly. I 
only meant the surprise. Popover can amuse 
the whole ward, and won’t Miss Lucy be 
pleased!” 

It ’ll be splendid!” beamed Brida. 
“How’d yer ever think of it?” 

“I don’t know; but I’m glad I did,” Polly 
went on happily. “And perhaps we can keep 
her a week or so, if we’ll let her have a little 
of our milk — just you and I. You would n’t 
mind, would you?” 

“Sure, I’ll let her have all she can drink!” 
declared Brida. 

“I guess I’d better go now,” said Polly. 
“What is the number? 7 — ” 

“It’s 739 Liberty Street,” repeated Brida; 
“an old brown house next to the corner.” 

Miss Lucy thought it was rather too warm 
for a walk, especially as Polly was not very 
23 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


strong yet; but the little girl urged it with 
such sparkling eyes that she finally let her go, 
bidding her keep on the shady side of the 
street and not to stay out too long. 

Polly reached Liberty Street where it was 
crossed by Union, but was taken somewhat 
aback when she looked at a number on the 
west side and found it to be only 452. 

Never mind!’^ was her second thought; 
‘Hhere are not quite three hundred numbers 
more, and half of those are on the other 
side; besides, they skip lots of them.’’ 

So she walked on contentedly, keeping 
track of the numbers as she passed along. 
They counted up fast, the houses were so 
thickly set. Polly thought the occupants 
must all be out of d.oors, for lounging men 
and women filled the doorways, and the side- 
walks were scattered with children. The air 
grew hot and stifling and full of disagreeable 
odors. The little girl half wished that she 
had not come. Then she remembered how 
pleased Brida would be to see her kitten 
again, and that gave her new strength and 
courage. 

She was very tired when she came to the 
24 


Popover 


little shop numbered 703; but with the glad 
thought that the brown house’’ could not 
be far off she began to look for it. 

Directly across her way was stretched a 
jumping rope, which, as she was about to 
step over, the girls at either end whirled up 
in front of her. To the astonishment of the 
mischievous tricksters, Polly skipped into 
time as adroitly as the most expert rope- 
jumper could have wished, and the giggling 
pair almost forgot their part. But they re- 
covered themselves to give Polly a half- 
dozen skips. Then, clearing the rope with a 
graceful bound, she turned to one of the 
girls. 

^^Can you tell me, please, where Mrs. 
MacCarthy lives ? — Brida MacCarthy’s 
mother?” 

With a second surprise on her freckled 
face, the child pointed to a fat, red-cheeked 
woman, who was cooling herself with a big 
palm-leaf fan, in a basement doorway just 
beyond. 

Thank you,” was the polite response, 
and Polly descended the short flight of steps 
into the bricked area. 

25 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


The woman looked up expectantly. 

Polly May, of the hospital staff, 
the little girl announced modestly, ^^and 
Brida would like her kitten, please.^’ 

The smile on Mrs. MacCarthy's face ex- 
panded into a big, joyous laugh. 

“Does she now? Moira! Katie! D’ye hear 
that? Brida ’s sint f’r her cat! Sure an’ she 
moost be gittin’ ’long rale well! An’ ye’re 
from th’ hospital! Moira! where’s yer man- 
ners? Fetch th’ little lady a chair! Katie, 
git a mug o’ wather an’ wan o’ thim big 
crackers. Don’t ye know how to trate 
comp’ny?” 

In a minute Polly was seated, a china mug 
of water in one hand, and a crisp soda bis- 
cuit in the other, while the MacCarthy family 
circled around her, eager for news from the 
beloved Brida. There were only encouraging 
accounts to give of the little girl with the 
broken ankle; but they led to so many ques- 
tions that Polly began to wonder how she 
should ever escape from these friendly peo- 
ple, when Popover herself solved the ques- 
tion. 

The pretty black kitten suddenly appeared 
26 


Popover 


at the visitor's side, and at the first caressing 
word from Polly jumped into her lap. 

ye see that?” cried the delighted 
mother, and in the momentary excitement 
Polly arose and said that she must go. 

Bridals sisters and small brother accom- 
panied her for two blocks up the street, and 
then, with numerous good-byes, they left her 
to her long, wearisome walk. 

She had not gone far before she realized 
that the warm little animal was more of a 
burden than she had counted on, exhausted 
as she was already with her unusual exercise; 
but she kept up courageously, even making 
little spurts of speed as she would wonder if 
Miss Lucy were becoming anxious about her. 
After awhile, however, instead of hurrying, 
she was obliged to stop now and then on a 
corner, to catch the breeze coming up from 
the sea, for she felt strangely faint. When 
she finally trudged up Hospital Hill, the air 
grew cool all at once, and she quite forgot 
herself for thinking of Brida and Miss Lucy. 

At the door of the ward she paused for a 
peep. The nurse was not in sight. A few of 
the children were gathered at the windows 
27 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


with books and pictures; several were on the 
floor playing quiet games. So softly did she 
step that nobody knew she was there until 
she was well in the room. Then, spying both 
her and the kitten, there was a shout and a 
rush. 

‘‘No, you canT have her yet ! cried Polly, 
as small hands were outstretched to lift the 
now uneasy burden from her arms. “Brida 
has first right, because it’s her kitten.” 

“Oh, Popover!” squealed the little owner 
delightedly, snuggling the furry creature to 
her cheek. 

“Where’s Miss Lucy?” demanded Polly, 
waiving the children’s eager questions. 

“Oh, they sent to have her come some- 
where!” answered Ethel Jones. “She went 
in an awful hurry, and said prob’ly she ’d be 
back pretty soon; but she has n’t come yet.” 

“She let Leonora be monitor,” put in 
Elsie Meyer. “I guess she’d ’a’ let me, if I’d 
been up.” 

“I wish she would come,” said Polly 
anxiously, “for I want to surprise her with 
Popover — it’s Miss Lucy’s birthday, you 
know.” 


28 


Popover 


Somebody’s coming now,” and Corne- 
lius O’Shaughnessy bent his head to listen. 

ain’t her step,” he decided disappoint- 
edly, and the next moment the tall form of 
Miss Hortensia Price was seen in the door- 
way. 

Quick! keep her out o’ sight!” whispered 
Polly, pushing Popover’s little black head 
down under the sheet. 

The stately young woman walked the 
length of the room without a word, and 
calmly sat down at the small table where 
Miss Lucy was accustomed to prepare her 
medicines and to make such notes as were 
needful. 

As Miss Price took up the little memoran- 
dum book and began to look it over, Polly’s 
heart almost stood still with consternation. 
She had come to stay ! Polly knew the signs. 
Such sudden shifts were common enough in 
the hospital, but only twice, during Polly’s 
stay, had they occurred in the convalescent 
ward, and Miss Lucy had been in charge for 
so long now that she had ceased giving her- 
self any worry over a possible change. 

For a moment the little girl stood hesi- 

29 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


tant; then the sight of Brida, white and 
scared on her pillow, roused her to quick 
thought. If she could only smuggle Popover 
down into Dr. Dudley^s office before she was 
discovered! Instinct told her that ^^High 
Price would never tolerate a kitten in the 
ward. She took one step forward. 

“Me-ew!’^ sounded faintly from Bridals 
cot. 

The nurse raised her head, listened in- 
quiringly, and then resumed her work of ex- 
amining the patients’ records. 

Polly stole nearer the bed. 

^^Me-ew!” came again, louder than be- 
fore. This time there was no mistaking its 
locality. 

Miss Price sprang from her chair, and 
strode straight to where Brida lay trem- 
bling. Popover’s insistence for more air and 
a free outlook was causing the coverlet to 
rise and fall in a startling way. 

^‘How came that cat here?” demanded 
the nurse, pulling aside the bedclothing. 

“I brought her,” answered Polly. “She’s 
Brida’s kitty, and we were going to give Miss 
Lucy a birthday surprise.” 

30 


Popover 


A faint smile flickered on the young wo- 
man's face. Then she made a grab at the 
now frightened kitten; but the little creature 
slipped from her hand, and jumping to the 
floor darted towards the hall. 

*^Oh, me darlin^ kitty T’ wailed Brida. 
^‘Shefll be losted! Oh, Polly, ketch her!’^ 
Polly, however, was already flying in pur- 
suit of the terrified cat. 

^‘Shut that door!^’ called the mistress of 
the ward, as the eager children rushed after. 
^^And stay inside, all of you!’^ 

Cornelius O^Shaughnessy reluctantly 
obeyed the first order, and the rest trailed 
back in disappointment. So exciting a race 
was not an everyday occurrence. 

Polly, too far away to heed either com- 
mand, was alarmed lest Popover might 
manage to escape from the building, in 
which case there would be small chance of 
catching her. On and on the little cat led her, 
giving no ear to the coaxing, Kitty, Kitty, 
Kitty!’’ which she was constantly calling. 
Around and around the big halls, up this 
flight of stairs and down that, into room after 
room whose doors stood enticingly open, 
' 31 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


raced Popover and Polly, while nurses and 
physicians that chanced their way stared and 
laughed at the astonishing sight. 

Just as the kitten reached the foot of the 
first-floor staircase, with her pursuer close 
behind, the front door opened, and Popover 
darted towards the passage of escape. 

^^Oh, shut the door quick! Catch her! 
Catch her! Don’t let her get out!” 

This most unexpected command, in Polly’s 
voice. Dr. Dudley endeavored to obey. He 
did succeed in slamming the door in front of 
pussy, though at the risk of nipping her little 
black nose; but when he stooped to snatch 
her she slipped between his feet, and dashed 
into his office. Polly flew after, and the door 
went together just as the Doctor reached it. 

Rather an unusual reception this is,” he 
twinkled, as Polly let him in, a minute later. 

Frighten me out of my wits by screaming 
at me to catch a wild animal, and then, when 
I ’ve done my best, shut the door of my office 
right in my face ! What do you mean by such 
extraordinary conduct. Miss Polly May?” 
The physician shook a threatening finger at 
the flushed and laughing little girl. 

32 


Popover 


‘‘You don't look very scared/' she gig- 
gled; and then as he dropped into his loung- 
ing-chair she slipped into her favorite posi- 
tion, atilt on its arm, and leaned confidingly 
against him. 

“Oh, I've had such a time with that kit- 
ten!" she sighed, smiling across at the little 
creature, now curled up contentedly on the 
Doctor's fur rug. 

“I take it, by the way you are breathing, 
that you and the cat have been having a 
race." 

“All over everywhere," answered Polly, 
“ till I thought I 'd never catch her. You see 
she was going to be a birthday surprise to 
Miss Lucy, and High Price went and spoiled 
it all." 

The story of the afternoon was narrated 
in Polly's most vivid style. 

“Isn't it queer that High Price should 
conae just then?" she sighed. “I don't like 
her; do you?" 

“She is an excellent young woman and a 
good nurse," Dr. Dudley returned. 

“Well, I don't want her for my nurse," 
Polly maintained soberly. 

33 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Still, if you were very sick,^^ smiled the 
Doctor, “I could not hope for better care 
than she would give you/’ 

^^Oh, if I were awfully sick, and out of my 
head, maybe High Price would do; but if I 
knew anything I should want Miss Lucy.” 
And Polly’s curls waved in emphasis. 

Dr. Dudley chuckled responsively. 

I don’t think you appreciate Miss Lucy,” 
Polly continued. 

The Doctor’s eyebrows went up. Don’t 
I?” he returned meekly. 

“You don’t act as if you did,” Polly 
sighed; “and I want you to, for she’s so 
sweet and little and — cuddly, you know. 
You could n’t call High Price cuddly; could 
you?” 

“It is n’t a term I should apply to her,” 
agreed the Doctor, with the hint of a smile. 

“Miss Lucy would have liked Popover. 
It’s too bad! I don’t see how we’re ever 
going to get along without Miss Lucy, 
’specially at bedtime.” 

“What does she do then?” 

“Oh, we tell stories! — at least, I do, and 
sometimes she does, and generally we sing — 
34 


Popover 


real soft, you know, so it won^t disturb any- 
body. Then she says a little prayer, and we 
go to bed. Dear me, how we shall miss her! 
Why, the other night, when Aim4e’s arm 
ached. Miss Lucy took her right in her lap, 
and rocked her to sleep 1 And when little Isa- 
bel cries for her mamma. Miss Lucy's just 
as nice to her, and cuddles her up so sweet! 
This is the way High Price will do : she ’ll say, 
Hs-a-bel’ ” (and Polly’s tone was in almost 
exact imitation of the nurse’s measured ac- 
cent), *^Tie still and go to sleep! The ward 
must be kept quiet.’ ” 

Dr. Dudley laughed. Then he said 
gravely : — 

^^Do you think that is really fair — to ac- 
cuse Miss Price of what she may never do? 
Besides, Polly, it is n’t quite respectful.” 

^^No, I suppose it is n’t,” the little girl ad- 
mitted. ‘^Excuse me, please. But I wish you 
could know the difference between High 
Price and Low Price.” 

The Doctor’s eyes twinkled ; but Polly, all 
unseeing, went on : — 

^‘How soon do you think Miss Lucy ’ll 
comeback? Where is she now? ” 

35 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^^She has been assigned to one of the wo- 
men’s wards. It is uncertain when she will be 
changed again.” 

“Well, I s’pose we’ll have to stand it,” 
sighed Polly philosophically. “Why, Pop- 
over!” for the kitten had come up unnoticed, 
and now jumped to the Doctor’s knee. “Is 
n’t she cute? Brida thinks lots of her — 
there!” she broke out compunctiously, “I 
forgot all about Brida, and she doesn’t 
know what’s become of her! I must run up 
and tell her. Will it be very much trouble 
to keep her here till to-morrow? Then I’ll 
carry her home.” 

“Suppose we take her home in the auto, 
after tea?” 

“Oh, lovely!” 

Dr. Dudley was looking at his watch. 

“Is it ’most tea-time?” Polly inquired. 

“They are probably all through up in the 
convalescent ward,” he laughed. “You’d 
better come into the dining-room and have 
supper with me.” 

‘ ^ Oh, thank you ; that will be nice ! I ’ll run 
up and tell Brida, and then I’ll come.” 


CHAPTER IV 


DAVID 


D r. DUDLEY had been the rounds of 
' the convalescent ward, to see how 
his patients were progressing. Now 
he had paused at the small table by the win- 
dow, where Polly was waiting to carry some 
medicine to Linus Hardy. 

As she took the glass from Miss Pricers 
hand, and started away, she heard the physi- 
cian say, ‘‘Can I have Polly for a few min- 
utes?^’ 

“Certainly, Dr. Dudley,’^ was the reply; 
and Polly returned wondering what was 
wanted of her. " 

“There is a boy upstairs who is getting 
discouraged,^’ the Doctor began, as they 
went through the hall, hand in hand, “and 
I think, perhaps, you can cheer him up a 
little.” 

“Is he a big boy or a little boy?” asked 
Polly anxiously. 


37 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


should say, about six months bigger 
than you,^’ the Doctor laughed. ^'He is n^t 
anybody you will be afraid of, Thistledown; 
but he is a very nice boy. His mother is just 
recovering from a severe illness, so she has 
nT been able to come to see him yet, and 
he feels pretty lonely.^’ 

wish he were down in our ward,^^ re- 
turned Polly, — “that is,’^ she amended, “if 
Miss Lucy were only there.” 

“I shall have him transferred as soon as 
he is well enough,” the Doctor assured her. 
And then they were at the entrance of the 
children’s ward. 

Away to the farther end of the room Dr. 
Dudley went, and Polly followed. Some of 
the patients looked curiously at her as she 
passed, for the news of her recent accession 
to the staff had spread through the hospital, 
and nearly everybody was eager for a sight 
of her. 

Polly was thinking only of the boy whom 
she had come to see; and when, at last, the 
Doctor stopped and turned towards her, she 
glanced shyly at the lad on the pillow. 

“David,” began Dr. Dudley, “this is Miss 
38 


t 


David 


Polly May, the chief story-teller of the con- 
valescent ward. And, Polly, allow me to pre- 
sent Master David Collins, who had a race, 
a week or twq^ ago, with a runaway horse, 
and who was foolish enough to let the horse 
beat.^^ 

The Doctor^s eyes were twinkling, and 
Polly let go a giggle; so the boy ventured 
to laugh. A weak little laugh it was; but 
it helped to start the acquaintance pleas- 
antly, which was just what Dr. Dudley 
wanted. 

‘‘You can have exactly ten minutes to 
do all your talking in,” was the physician^s 
parting sally; “so you’d better hurry.” 

Polly’s eyes and David’s met in smiling 
appreciation. 

“He says such funny things,” praised 
Polly. 

“Yes,” agreed David. 

Polly did n’t quite know how to begin to 
cheer the lad up. Her tender heart was stirred 
to unusual sympathy, as she gazed into the 
pitifully drawn little face, with its big doll- 
blue eyes. She must surely say something to 
make David happier — and the minutes 
39 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


were going fast. After all, it was David that 
was first to speak again. 

^^Do you like stories?” he asked. 

'‘Oh, I just love them!” 

"So do I. You must know a great many. 
The Doctor said you told them to the child- 
ren. I wish there was time for you to tell 
me one.” 

"I ’m afraid there is nT to-day,” re- 
sponded Polly ; " but maybe I can stay 
longer when I come again.” 

"I hope so,” returned David politely. 
"My mother read me a story the evening 
before I was hurt. It was about a king and 
queen that lived beautiful stories, and I was 
going to live such a brave, splendid one 
every day — and then the horse knocked me 
down! Such a lot of miserable stories as 
I We lived since I came here, not much like 
the ones I^d planned! But to-day’s will be 
better, because you’ll be in it,” he ended 
brightly. 

Polly’s eyes had been growing rounder 
and rounder with surprise and delight. 

"Oh! was it a Cherry-Pudding Story?” 
she asked eagerly. 


40 


David 


^'Why, have you read it?’' and the little 
white face actually grew pink. ^^My aunt 
wrote it, and sent us a paper that had it in!” 

^^Why — ee!” cried Polly, n’t that 
funny! And we’ve been trying to live nice 
stories, too — all of us, up in the ward! Miss 
Lucy said we’d see which could live the best 
one. A lady told me the story. And your 
aunt really made it all up?” 

^^Yes; she writes lots of stories,” smiled 
David. “Then she sends them to mamma 
and me when they’re printed.” 

“How splendid!” beamed Polly. “When 
you get well enough to come down in our 
ward, you can tell us some, can’t you?” 

The boy’s face saddened. “I guess I can’t 
ever come,” he said. 

“Why not?” 

“Because I was hurt so badly. I don’t 
think I’m going to get well.” 

“Oh, yes, you will!” asserted Polly. “Of 
course Dr. Dudley will cure you! Goodness! 
you ought to have seen how I was all 
smashed up! But Dr. Dudley cured me — 
he can cure anybody!” 

“He can?” echoed David, a little doubt- 
41 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


fully. How ’d you get hurt? Were you run 
over?^’ 

*^Yes, by a building,” Polly laughed. 
^^Only it didn’t run; it fell. I was ’way 
up on the third floor, and all of a sudden it 
went — just like that!” Polly’s little hands 
dropped flat in her lap. ^‘1 heard a great 
noise, and felt myself going, and I remember 
I clutched hold of Uncle Gregory. Then I 
didn’t know another thing till I woke up 
over in that corner. See that bed with the 
dark-haired little girl in it, the third from the 
end? That was my cot.” 

Was your leg broken? ” asked David, in a 
most interested tone. 

Yes, my leg was broken, and my hip was 
discolated’^ (Polly sometimes twisted her 
long words a little), ‘^and my ankle was 
hurt, and two ribs, and, oh, lots of things! 
Doctor says now that he really did n’t think 
I ’d ever walk again — I mean, without 
crutches.” 

^'And you’re not lame a bit?” David re- 
turned incredulously. 

^^Not a mite, not the least mite!” Polly 
assured him. 


42 


David 


‘^Then perhaps I shall get well/’ the boy 
began brightly. 

‘‘Of course you will!” broke in Dr. Dud- 
ley’s happy voice. 

He put his hand on the lad’s wrist, and 
stood for a moment, noting his pulse. 

“It does n’t seem to hurt you to have vis- 
itors,” he smiled; “but they mustn’t stay 
too long. Say good-bye, Polly.” 

“Will you bring her again to-morrow?” 
invited David timidly. “And let her stay 
long enough to tell me a story?” 

“I shouldn’t wonder,” the Doctor pro- 
mised. And they left the boy smiling as he 
had not smiled since he had been in the hos- 
pital. 

After that, Polly went every day to see 
David, until, one morning. Dr. Dudley told 
her that he was not quite well enough to have 
a visitor. She had come to look forward to 
her quiet talks with the blue-eyed lad as the 
happiest portion of the whole day, for Miss 
Hortensia Price still stayed in the conva- 
lescent ward, and the Doctor had been too 
busy lately to take her out in his automo- 
bile. Elsie and Brida and Aim6e and the 
43 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


rest were all good comrades, yet none of 
them possessed David^s powers of quick 
comprehension. Often Polly had to explain 
things to them; David always kept up with 
her thought — there was the difference. And 
David, notwithstanding his present prone- 
ness to discouragement, was a most winsome 
boy. 

So the first day that she was not allowed 
to make her customary visit seemed a long 
day indeed, and eagerly she awaited the next 
morning. But several days passed before she 
again saw David. Then it was but for a very 
few minutes, and he was so wan and weak 
that she went away feeling sorrowful and 
anxious. Yet Dr. Dudley told her that she 
had done his patient good. That was a slight 
comfort. 

The next day, and the next, the lad was 
again too ill for company, and a few sen- 
tences which Polly overheard filled her with 
foreboding. She was putting fresh sheets on 
one of the cots — a task which she had 
learned to do well — when she caught David’s 
name. 

“His heart is very weak,” one of the up- 
44 


David 


stairs nurses was saying to Miss Price. ^^He 
can’t stand many more such sinking spells. 
Dr. Dudley has given orders to be called at 
once, day or night, if he should have an- 
other.” 

Here the voice dropped, and Polly could 
not catch the words; but she had heard 
enough. The sheet went on crookedly. 
Polly did not know it, her eyes were so 
blurred with tears. She kept the sorry news 
to herself, and all day long the children won- 
dered what made Polly so sober. 

If she could have seen Dr. Dudley she 
would have asked him about David; but 
for several days she caught only passing 
glimpses of him, when he was too busy to 
be questioned. The little girl grew more 
and more anxious, but kept hoping that 
because she heard nothing David must be 
better. 

It was during the short absence of Miss 
Price, one afternoon, that Elsie Meyer com- 
plained of the disagreeable liniment on her 
hip. 

'Ht’s just horrid! I can’t stand it a min- 
ute longer!” she fretted. ‘^Say, Polly, I wish 
45 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


you’d spray some of that nice-smellin’ stuff 
around — what do you call it?” 

^^The resodarizer, I guess you mean,” re- 
sponded Polly, with more glibness than ac- 
curacy. 

Yes, that’s it,” Elsie returned. Hurry 
up and use it, before High Price gets back!” 

‘^Perhaps I’d better wait and ask her,” 
she hesitated. 

‘^No, don’t! Miss Lucy always lets you 
take it,” Elsie urged. 

‘^Yes, I know,” doubtfully. Then she 
went to the shelf in the dressing-room, where 
the atomizer box stood. 

There is n’t a drop in it,” she said, hold- 
ing the bottle to the light. “Miss Lucy must 
have forgotten to fill it after I used it last 
time.” Then, spying a small phial on the 
shelf, close to where the box had been, “Oh, 
I guess she left it for me to fill!” And, un- 
screwing the chunky little bottle from the 
spraying apparatus, she soon had it half full. 

Elsie smiled in blissful anticipation of the 
refreshing perfume, but as the spray fell near 
her she greeted it with a torrent of cries. 

“Ugh, ugh! 0-o-h! take it away!” 

46 


David 


Then Polly, too, puckered her face in dis- 
gust. Why, I must have put — 

^‘What are you doing with that atom- 
izer? interrupted Miss Price’s voice. How 
came kerosene oil in here? Have you been 
spraying it around?” 

didn’t know it was kerosene,” an- 
swered Polly meekly. s’posed it was the 
resodarizer — ” 

‘^Deodorizer, child!” 

“Oh, yes, I get it twisted! It ’s that kind 
that smells so nice.” 

Miss Price gave a little laugh. “Well, this 
does n’t smell nice.” 

“I ’m sorry,” mourned Polly. “I don’t 
see how a kerosene bottle came up there — 
oh, I know ! Miss Lucy was putting some on 
her watch, the other day, and she was called 
off — I remember! She must have left it 
there.” 

“But the bottle is labeled,” Miss Price re- 
plied, fetching it from the table where Polly 
had set it down. “ Can’t you read? ” 

“Of course I can!” she answered, a little 
indignant at the question. “I guess I was 
thinking of — something else,” she ended» 
47 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


David’’ had been on her tongue, but she 
kept the name back. 

Don’t you know that you should always 
have your mind on what you do? It is a 
mercy that you did not get hold of anything 
worse.” 

‘‘I could n’t,” Polly protested. ‘‘The pois- 
ons and all such things are up in the medi- 
cine closet, and that’s always locked.” 

“You have been allowed too much lib- 
erty,” Miss Price went on. “Hereafter re- 
member that you are not to touch a bottle 
of any description. But, then,” she added, 
half to herself, but which came plainly to 
Polly’s ear, “there is no need of such an 
order while I am in charge. I shall see that 
none are left within reach.” 

The child’s eyes flashed. This clear impli- 
cation of the one she adored set loose her 
temper, and she burst out passionately: — 

“Miss Lucy always does everything just 
right, and I think it ’s mean of you to hint 
that she does n’t!” 

Miss Price looked steadily at Polly, the 
color wavering on her cheeks; then she said, 
with more than her usual gentleness: — 

48 


David 


“Polly, I am sorry, but I think I shall have 
to punish you. You may go and sit in that 
wooden chair over there, with your back to 
the window. Do not stir or speak until I give 
you permission.’^ 

Polly walked straight to the seat desig- 
nated, but there was no meekness in her 
obedience. She carried her head defiantly, 
and her face was hot with anger. To think 
that “High Price” should dare to find fault 
with Miss Lucy! That rankled in her loyal 
little heart. 


CHAPTER V 


WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LONE STAR 

A STRAIN of music floated up from 
the street, and the children that 
were able to be on their feet rushed 
for the windows. 

^^It ^s a band wagon! cried Ethel. 
“Twol^^ amended Moses. ‘‘Say, Miss 
Price, canT Polly just come and look at 
^em?^^ 

“No,” was the quiet answer, while Cor- 
nelius O^Shaughnessy made faces at the 
young woman^s back. 

But Polly was not missing as much as the 
children feared. At first her mind was in too 
great a tumult for her to care for band wag- 
ons. Then, as the music soothed her excited 
nerves and drew her thoughts into pleas- 
anter paths, she pictured the great wagons, 
and the performers in scarlet and gold, as 
she had seen them scores of times, and she 
seemed to watch their progress under the 
50 


With the Assistance of Lone Star 


arch of elms as perfectly as if she were not in 
the middle of the room with her eyes shut. 

The music grew faint and fainter, and was 
finally lost in the noise of the street. The 
children returned to their various occupa- 
tions, giving Polly furtive tokens of sym- 
pathy on their way back. Leonora squeezed 
her hand; Cornelius patted her shoulder; 
Moses gently pulled a curl — one of his 
friendly amusements; and Brida, who was 
now about on crutches, stooped to kiss her 
cheek. 

Brida, do not talk to Polly!’’ 

The sudden command startled the child 
almost into tripping. 

I was n’t talkin’ ! ” she protested. I was 
only kissin’ her.” 

^^Well, come away from her — clear 
away,” for the little girl was not making 
very quick time. 

“I’m cornin’ ’s fas’ ’s I can!” she pouted. 
“I can’t run on these old crutches — so 
there!” 

Polly almost giggled aloud at Brida’s dar- 
ing, but promptly subsided into a safe look 
of gravity. It was pleasant to feel sure of her 
51 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


friends. She was still thinking in this vein 
when a rap on the half-closed door was at 
once followed by the frightened face of one 
of the upstairs young nurses. 

^^Oh, Polly!’’ she cried, at sight of her, 
“run quick, and catch Dr. Dudley for Da- 
vid! He ’s out there cranking up, and I 
can’t — ” 

But Polly had shot past her, and was al- 
ready on the stairs. 

The physician was starting his car, as she 
gained the front entrance. 

“Doctor! Doctor! Oh, Doctor!” she 
screamed, dashing down steps and walk at a 
reckless speed; but he did not look round, 
and her voice was lost in the noise of the 
machine. 

Her feet never slackened. Straight on she 
flew, like a real thistledown, her fair curls 
streaming on the wind, her eyes big with a 
vague terror. As the Doctor sped farther and 
farther away from her, she ceased calling, 
realizing that she must reach him in some 
other way. 

The second house below the hospital was 
Colonel Gresham’s. The Colonel himself was 
52 


With the Assistance of Lone Star 


stepping into his light buggy, to give Lone 
Star, his favorite trotter, a little exercise, 
when Polly rushed up. 

‘^Oh, please, sir!” she panted, ^^will you 
catch Dr. Dudley? — They want him at the 
hospital — and I could nT make him hear! 
He ^s right ahead — in his auto — the dark 
green one! David will die if he don’t come!” 

For answer, Polly was whirled into the 
carriage, and before she could recover her 
breath Lone Star was making as good time 
as he had ever made in his short but famous 
life. 

‘^Whew! the Colonel is going some!” — 

Who ’s that pretty little kid with him? ” — 
“Don’t he leg it, though!” These and kin- 
dred observations were elicited all the way 
down the street, men stopping to see the 
well-known horse go by, and children scurry- 
ing across his track. 

But the Doctor seemed bent on leading his 
pursuers a lengthy chase, for no sooner had 
they gained on him sufficiently to set Polly’s 
heart dancing with hope than he suddenly 
increased his speed, at once putting a greater 
distance between them. Then, slowing for 
63 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


an instant, he vanished round a distant 
corner. 

Zounds muttered the Colonel. 

^‘He turned right opposite that white 
birch cried Polly. 

^‘Sure?^^ 

^^Yes; I was keeping watch.” 

So was the Colonel; but he had not noticed 
the tree. 

Polly^s assurance held enough decision to 
satisfy the driver, and he took the turn she 
had indicated, where the glint of the weeping 
white birch on the opposite side of the street 
had caught her observant eye. But on the 
cross-road no dark green auto was in sight. 

As they came to the first street on the 
right, however, a solitary car met their eager 
eyes. 

Polly looked her delight, as they swept 
round the corner and along the hard, clear 
stretch. The flicker of a smile was on the 
ColoneFs rugged face. 

“Doc — tor! Doctor Dud — ley!” called 
Polly. 

The physician turned his head. 

“Oh, donT stop!” she entreated, for he 
54 


With the Assistance, of Lone Star 


was slowing up, as they came alongside. 

Please go right back — quick! David ^s 
worse!” 

One astonished glance, and he compre- 
hended, and obeyed. Colonel Gresham gave 
him room for the turn. Then, with a grace- 
ful gesture of farewell, and, “I thank you!” 
he whizzed past them and out of sight. 

^^Oh, I hope he’ll get there in time!” 
sighed Polly. 

“I think he will,” the Colonel nodded. 
^‘He looks it.” 

don’t want David to die; he’s such a 
nice boy.” 

Lone Star was taking the road easily, after 
his spurt of speed. The lines lay loosely on 
the Colonel’s knee. 

this David some relative of yours? ” he 

asked. 

^^Oh, no, sir! I’ve only known him a few 
weeks, since he was knocked down by a run- 
away horse, and hurt so badly. He’s David 
Collins, and I’m Polly May. Dr. Dudley 
took me up to see him, because he needed 
cheering up; but now he has bad turns with 
his heart, and I can’t go. He’s a lovely boy. 
55 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


It was so good of you to take me to catch the 
Doctor — I don’t know what I should have 
done if you had n’t! And did n’t your horse 
go fast! I never saw a horse go so fast be- 
fore. I think he’s beautiful; don’t you?” 

like him.” The Colonel smiled down 
into Polly’s eyes quite as if they were old 
friends. “Suppose I take you for a little 
longer drive — would your friends mind?” 

“Oh, thank you!” Polly began, “I’d love 
it!” Then she stopped, with sudden recol- 
lection. “I guess I can’t, though — I’d for- 
gotten all about it ! — I must go back, and 
finish being punished.” 

Colonel Gresham laughed outright, so 
Polly laughed too. 

“I made an awful mistake,” she explained; 
“I sprayed some kerosene all around, in- 
stead of de-sodarizer.” 

The Colonel was grave for a polite mo- 
ment. Then, “And you didn’t smell it?” 
he laughed. 

“Not till Elsie yelled at me to stop. I 
don’t see why I did n’t.” 

“But it seems hardly fair to punish one for 
a mistake.” 


56 


With the Assistance of Lone Star 


Well/^ confessed Polly, ^Hhat was n’t all. 
I got mad, and I guess I was pretty saucy to 
High Price. She said something about Miss 
Lucy that I did n’t like, and I told her what I 
thought — I just had to! So she sent me to 
sit in a chair till she said to get up. Then 
when the nurse came for me to catch Dr. 
Dudley, I was so scared about David that I 
ran right off, without even asking permis- 
sion — I don’t know what she will do to me 
now! But you can’t stop for anything when 
folks are ’most dying, can you?” 

should say not,” the Colonel replied, 
reckon she won’t treat you very 
badly.” 

don’t care what she does, if David only 
gets well. But, oh, how can David’s mother 
stand it, if he does n’t ! She ’s sick, you know, 
so she could n’t come to see him — he’s all 
she’s got, and such a dear boy! He works to 
earn money for her when he’s well, sells pa- 
pers, and everything. I guess they’re rather 
poor; but perhaps I ought n’t to talk about 
that. Please don’t tell anybody I said it, 
’cause I don’t really know.” 

I shall not speak of it,” promised Colonel 

57 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Gresham gravely. But how happens it that 
you’re at the hospital? You’re not sick, are 
you?” 

‘^Not a bit now. I was hurt, but Dr. Dud- 
ley cured me. I ’m on the staff — that ’s why 
I stay,” Polly explained soberly. 

‘^Oh! you’re that little girl, are you?” 

She nodded. 

heard something about it at the time. 
Well, Lone Star and I will be glad to take 
you for a drive some other day, when you 
have n’t any punishment on hand.” He 
drew up the horse at the hospital entrance. 

^‘Oh! is that his name?” exclaimed Polly. 
^^What a loveluscious one! Would he mind 
if I stroked his nose?” she asked, as the 
Colonel lifted her down. 

^‘He would like it very much.” And they 
went round to the horse’s head together. 

‘^Now I must go in,” Polly sighed, giving 
the affectionate animal a last, loving pat. 
thank you ever and ever so much. Colonel 
Gresham, and I should be happy to go to 
ride with you again some day. I hope I 
have n’t hindered you. Good-bye.” 

She skipped up the long walk to the house, 
58 


With the Assistance of Lone Star 


the Colonel watching her until she disap- 
peared at a side door. 

Polly could not resist peeping into the 
Doctor^s office before going upstairs. The 
room was empty, and she went slowly on, 
thinking of David. 

Miss Price was standing near the door of 
the convalescent ward. She turned as Polly 
entered. 

Where have you been staying? she 
asked. ‘‘Dr. Dudley came long ago.^^ 

“Yes, I know; but I was with Colonel 
Gresham, and I could nT get here till he 
did.’^ 

“Colonel Gresham! Pray, how came you 
with him?^’ Miss Price was plainly aston- 
ished. 

“Why, he took me to catch the Doctor. 
And Lone Star got there! Oh, did nT he go! 
Is nT it a love — luscious name?^’ Polly^s 
eyes shone. 

“ Child !’^ sighed the nurse, “what have I 
told you about using that word?^^ 

“I forgot,’^ Polly answered meekly. 

“You shouldn’t forget. I hope you did 
n’t talk that way to Colonel Gresham.” 

59 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


‘‘He would n^t care/^ replied Polly com* 
fortably. 

“He would think you had not had propei 
training. Now, remember, there is no such 
word as loveluscious. In this case you should 
have said that it was a good name or a pleas- 
ing name — though it is rather too fanci- 
ful,’^ she added. 

“I love it!” cried Polly; “but it would n’t 
sound as if I did, just to say it was good.” 

Then Polly’s thoughts suddenly went back 
to Lone Star’s errand. 

“Oh, Miss Price!” she asked, “how is 
David?” 

“I have not heard,” was the quiet reply. 

“Well, I’ll go and finish up being punished 
now,” Polly said, with a tiny sigh, and she 
walked over to the chair which stood where 
she had left it. 

Miss Price did not appear to notice; but 
the children exchanged surprised glances. 
Voluntarily to continue a punishment was 
something with which they were unac- 
quainted. The^ tried to attract Polly’s at- 
tention, but her eyes were feverishly watch- 
ing the half-open hall door. Dr. Dudley 
60 


With the Assistance of Lone Star 


might stop when he came down — unless — ! 
Her heart grew sick with the possibility. 

At last she caught his step. Yes, he was 
coming there! Smilingly he pushed the door 
wide. Polly smiled in response — at least, 
David had not died! 

‘^Want to come downstairs?” he invited, 
crossing over to her. 

Still smiling, she shook her head, putting 
her finger to her lips. 

With a puzzled look, the Doctor turned to 
Miss Price. 

^‘What^s happened?” he queried. “Has 
Polly suddenly become dumb? Or is it a 
game?” 

“She is being punished,” was the grave 
answer. 

“Oh!” he replied. “Well, when she has 
been punished enough, please send her down 
to me.” 

He strode away, without one word of Da- 
vid, to Polly’s overwhelming disappointment. 

In half an hour Miss Price said, “Polly, 
you may go now.” 

She bounded off, with not even a back- 
ward glance, and the children felt lonelier 
61 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


than before. But Polly’s mind was too full of 
David for her to think of the rest. 

To her surprise the Doctor was not in his 
office; but upon a book of bright color she 
spied a tiny note with her name on it. 
Catching it up eagerly, she read: — 

Dear Thistledown, — 

Sorry to be called away, when I have in- 
vited company; but wait and take tea with 
me. I shall be back soon. I ’ ve been looking 
over this book, and think you will like it. 

Sincerely, 

Robert Dudley. 

David is better. 

“Oh, I’m so glad, glad, glad!” breathed 
Polly, clasping the note in both her small 
hands. 

Then she read it once more, and after- 
wards established herself in the Doctor’s 
easiest chair, to begin the book he had sug- 
gested. If she liked the story she would tell 
it to David. 

Polly was so far away in thought that she 
did not notice Dr. Dudley’s entrance, until 
62 


With the Assistance of Lone Star 


he was inside the office. Then she flew to 
him. 

He caught her in his arms, surveying her 
with a whimsical smile. 

‘^All punished, are you?^’ he asked. 

She laughed, responding with a gay af- 
firmative. 

^Ht doesnT seem to have weighed you 
down much,” he observed, drawing her to a 
seat beside him. 

^Ht was only sitting still and not talk- 
ing,” she explained, and I took two turns at 
it, so T was n’t bad. I told Colonel Gresham 
about the kerosene, and it made him laugh. 
Is n’t Lone Star beautiful?” 

Decidedly; but how came you with the 
Colonel?” queried the Doctor. 

‘^Why, he was right out there, in front of 
his house, and I asked him to catch you — 
there was n’t any other way. I could n’t 
make you hear. Oh, I do wish you could 
have seen Lone Star go!” 

I ’ll venture he never did a more valuable 
service,” said the Doctor fervently. ^Ter- 
haps I might add, or you either. If it had 
not been for your ready wits things might 
63 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


have gone worse. I tried some new medicine 
for David, and it worked well, exceedingly 
well.’’ 

Is he a good deal better?” 

Very comfortable. He was sleeping when 
I left him. Don’t worry. Thistledown!” for 
tears stood in Polly’s eyes. “I think he is 
going to pull through all right, and we ’ll have 
him down in the other ward before you 
know it.” 

Tea was served directly, and there were 
big, juicy blackberries, with which Dr. Dud- 
ley piled Polly’s dish high. 

When they returned to the office the story 
of the afternoon was finished, Polly hold- 
ing back nothing, even repeating her saucy 
speech to the nurse. 

The Doctor received it with a queer little 
smile. 

^Ht was dreadfully impolite, was n’t it?” 
she mused. “1 always say impolite things 
when I get mad.” 

Most people do,” he responded. One of 
the worst features of anger is that it robs us 
of self-control, and that is a terrible loss, if 
only for a moment.” 


64 


With the Assistance of Lone Star 


Polly did not speak, and after a bit of a 
pause the Doctor went on. 

' Miss Price is going through a pretty hard 
place just now. Word came yesterday that 
her only sister, who is a missiontiry in Tur- 
key, is very sick and not expected to live.’’ 

“Oh, I wish I hadn’t said that!” Polly 
broke out penitently. “I might go up and 
tell her I’m sorry,” she hesitated. 

“It would n’t be a bad plan,” Dr. Dudley 
replied. 

So Polly said good-night rather soberly, 
although carrying away with her the gay- 
colored book and the happy belief that Da- 
vid was going to get well. 

Her feet lagged, as they drew near the 
ward. What would Miss Price say? Would 
she make it easy or hard for her to apolo- 
gize? Then she thought of the sick sister far 
away in Turkey, and half forgot herself. 

The nurse was writing at her little table, 
when she looked up to see Polly by her side. 

“I’m sorry I was so saucy this afternoon,” 
came in a soft voice. “I did n’t know about 
your sister then. I hope she’ll get well.” 

For a moment Miss Price did not speak, 
65 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


and Polly fancied she saw tears in the black 
eyes. 

Thank you, my dear,’’ she replied then. 
“Perhaps I was too severe. But we will be 
friends now, wonT we?^^ 

Polly gave a serious assent, in doubt 
whether she should proffer a kiss or not; but 
finally went away without giving the token. 
She had a vague feeling that Miss Hortensia 
Price would not care for kisses. 


CHAPTER VI 


ELSIE^S BIRTHDAY 

F or a week Elsie Meyer had been 
talking about her coming birthday, 
and half wishing that she could be 
discharged early enough to allow its celebra- 
tion at home. 

“Mamma always makes a cake for our 
birthdays,’’ she told the children, plain- 
tively. “Last year mine was choc’late, and 
year before that, jelly. Mamma said next 
time she’d have it orange, same’s she did 
Ida’s. Now I can’t have no cake or nothin’, 
’count o’ this old hip!” and she pouted dis- 
contentedly. 

“But your arm is ’most well,” suggested 
Polly. “That’s one good thing!” 

“Yes,” admitted Elsie. 

“And it ’s nice that you can be all around, 
instead of having to lie abed,” Polly went 
on, hunting for happy birthday accompani- 
ments. 


67 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘Bet you ’tis!’’ smiled Elsie. “Lyin' 
abed ain’t much fun, ’specially when you 
ache anywhere.” 

“If Miss Lucy was here, maybe she ’d have 
a cake for you,” put in Leonora. 

“But she ain’t,” responded Cornelius un- 
necessarily. 

“She ain’t,” echoed Otto Kriloff, his face 
reflecting his thought. 

“When do yer s’pose she’ll come back?” 
queried Maggie O’Donnell. 

Nobody could answer. 

“ Maybe she never will,” said Elsie gloom- 
ily, — “anyway till we all get gone.” 

“Oh, Elsie!” protested Polly. 

“Well,” was the pouting retort, “if High 
Price stays here much longer — ” 

“Sh!” hushed Cornelius, “she’s cornin’!” 
For light steps sounded along the corridor. 

The children cast furtive, half-frightened 
glances towards the hall door; but it was 
not Miss Hortensia Price that smilingly 
opened it. 

‘ ‘ Miss Lucy I Miss Lucy ! ’ ’ they shouted ; 
and with a rush they were upon her, 
embracing, pulling, squeezing, until she 
68 


Elsie^s Birthday 


dropped into a chair, laughing and breath- 
less. 

'‘Have yer come to stay?^^ queried Mag- 
gie anxiously. 

"For the present,” she nodded. 

A big, squealing, "0-o-h!” of joy rang 
through the ward, while Polly silently clung 
to one hand, as if she would never let it go. 

"What’s all this rumpus about?” came 
growlingly from the entrance; and the child- 
ren turned, to see Dr. Dudley surveying 
them, his eyes a-twinkle with fun. 

Polly giggled. The rest looked a bit dis- 
concerted. 

"Accept my congratulations,” he said, ex- 
tending his hand to the nurse. 

Polly reluctantly relinquished her hold of 
Miss Lucy, that the physician’s greeting 
might be properly responded to, while the 
young lady blushed with pleasure. 

"I’m jealous,” the Doctor went on, look- 
ing around on the little group. "You never 
make such a fuss over me when I come.” 

"Do yer want us to?” ventured Cor- 
nelius. 

The Doctor laughed. "Well,” he re- 
69 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


sponded, ‘‘I’ll excuse you from giving me 
such an ovation every day. How is that 
back of yours, Cornelius?” And he pro- 
ceeded on his accustomed rounds. 

One by one the children sidled back to 
Miss Lucy. 

“It’s my birthday to-day,” announced 
Elsie, proceeding with her usual information 
regarding the home birthday cakes. 

The nurse received the news with all the 
interest that any little girl could desire, even 
going so far as to “wonder” if a tea party 
wouldn’t make a pleasant ending for the 
afternoon. That set Elsie into a flutter of 
blissful anticipations, so that when she over- 
heard the Doctor telling Polly the auto 
would be at the door in ten minutes she for- 
got to wish she, too, could have a drive. 

“Did you ever go to ride with Dr. Dud- 
ley?” queried Polly, as Miss Lucy buttoned 
her into a fresh frock. 

“Oh, no!” 

“Didn’t he ever invite you?” she per- 
sisted. 

“Of course not! Now, turn round, and let 
me see if you are all right.” 

70 


Elsie^s Birthday 


‘‘Well, he ought to! It is n’t fair for me to 
have all the rides. He’s lovely to go with!” 

Miss Lucy did not answer, but her cheeks 
were almost as pink as Polly’s dress, while 
she pulled out the neck ruffle and retied the 
ribbon that caught up the bright curls. 

Polly was starting off without a word. 

“Good-bye, dear! I hope you will have 
just as good a time as you always do.” And 
Miss Lucy detained her long enough to leave 
a kiss on the red lips. 

A gay little laugh was the only reply. 
Then Polly ran out of the dressing-room and 
across the ward. The children heard her 
tripping down the stairs, and hurried over 
to the windows to see her go. But nobody 
appeared outside, and presently Polly re- 
turned. 

“Put on your hat quick. Miss Lucy!” she 
cried gleefully. “You’re going, ’stead o’ 
me! Dr. Dudley says he shall feel very 
much honored to have your company! May 
I get your hat?” 

“Polly May!” the young woman ex- 
claimed, in a flutter of astonishment, “what 
have you been telling him?” 

71 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^ ‘ Oh, nothing much ! ’’ laughed Polly. ‘ ‘ He 
wants you — so go right along!’’ 

^‘Yes, do!” the children chimed in. 

^'Do!” echoed Elsie. “’Cause it’s my 
birthday!” 

Of course Miss Lucy insisted that she 
could not, would not, go. She pleaded lack 
of time and unsuitable dress. She sum- 
moned to her aid every excuse at command. 
But in the end she did exactly as the child- 
ren wished, and they had the delight of 
seeing her drive away with the Doctor, while 
they chorused merry good-byes to the 
frantic waving of handkerchiefs. 

When the automobile was out of sight, 
Polly thoughtfully began to paint the pic- 
tme for those who had been shut off from a 
peep of it. 

“They looked just lovely together. Miss 
Lucy in her pretty gray suit, with the pink 
rose on her hat! She waved her hand, and 
Dr. Dudley waved his!” 

“Wonder how long they’ll be gone,” put 
in Elsie. 

“I don’t know — oh, say, let’s clean up 
the dressing-room, and dust everywhere, so 
72 


Elsie^s Birthday 


Miss Lucy won’t have it to do when she gets 
back!” And Polly, assured of followers, 
skipped away for the dust-cloths. 

Of course Polly did most of the little 
tasks; that was to be expected, since she had 
no lame back or twisted leg or crutches in the 
way. But everybody that was on his feet 
had some share in the general service, and 
was therefore free to appropriate a part of the 
praise with which Miss Lucy showered them. 

Yes, she had had a charming ride, she told 
them, and they felt it must be so, since they 
had never seen her in a gayer mood. 

^^Run up to my room if you can slip 
away,” she whispered to Polly. shall be 
there changing my gown.” 

After Miss Lucy had gone, the attention 
of the rest was attracted by a horseback 
party on the street, and Polly darted away 
as she had been bidden. 

^^Dear child!” said Miss Lucy, taking the 
little face in both her hands. ^^You have 
given me a great pleasure.” 

'^It wasn’t I,” laughed Polly. ‘^It was 
Dr. Dudley. Are n’t you glad now that you 
went?” 


73 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Yes/’ she smiled. ^‘Because if I had n’t, 
Elsie might not have had this birthday 
present. Come, see what Doctor and I 
bought for her.” 

She opened a small package, disclosing a 
tiny box. In the box was a little gold sig- 
net ring with an Old English “E” engraved 
upon it. 

^^Oh,” admired Polly, ^4s n’t that loveli- 
cious! I’m so glad for Elsie!” 

“Yes,” Miss Lucy went on, “I think she 
will like it. We wanted to give her some- 
thing that she could keep to remember the 
day by, and we could n’t think of anything 
better. She has a poor little home, though 
her mother works hard and does all she can 
to make the children happy. But Elsie can’t 
have had many bright things in her life, so 
we’re going to try to make her birthday as 
pleasant as possible.” 

“I should think this would please any- 
body, it is so beautiful!” and Polly laid it 
gently back in its little case. 

Presently she was downstairs again, happy 
in the knowledge of sharing a secret with 
Miss Lucy and Dr. Dudley. 

74 


Elsie’s Birthday 


After dinner she read to the children from 
her new book of fairy tales, and then Miss 
Lucy taught them some new games that 
they could all play — even those who were 
still in bed. 

They were just finishing one of these, when 
the strains of an old song suddenly sounded 
near by. 

“Oh, a hand-organ!’’ somebody shouted, 
and they flocked to the windows. 

“And he’s got a monkey!” squealed 
Brida. 

“Oh, that’s ’count o’ my birthday!” cried 
the happy Elsie. “I do wish he’d come up 
here!” 

Her words floated down to the organ 
grinder, and at once he allowed the monkey 
more length of cord. The little animal began 
to climb the wistaria vine, and presently was 
dofiing his tiny red cap to the children, who 
shrieked with delight. 

“Here’s a penny for him, Elsie,” said Dr. 
Dudley, who had come up behind them un- 
noticed. 

The little birthday girl joyfully took the 
bright coin, and dropped it into the mon- 
75 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


key’s outstretched paw, receiving from him a 
characteristic ‘‘thank you,” which caused 
more glee. 

Again and again the little gay-coated mes- 
senger made trips up and down the wista- 
ria, transferring the pennies from the child- 
ren’s hands to his master’s pocket, until the 
yellow coins finally gave out, and the Doctor 
was obliged to say, “No more!” 

Even then the man smilingly played on, 
and when at last he and the monkey bade 
their patrons good-bye, Elsie thought that 
no little girl ever had so “splendid” a birth- 
day as she was having. 

The party tea was served precisely at half- 
past five o’clock, and such a tea! Little 
biscuits scarcely bigger than silver dollars, 
small tarts filled with fig marmalade, great 
berries that the children agreed were super- 
bondonjical, tiny nut cookies, a frosted cake 
decorated with nine pink candles, chocolate 
in pretty cups, and — to top off the feast — 
ice cream in the shape of chickens! 

Miss Lucy and Polly and Dr. Dudley 
served those little people who could not be 
at the table, and nobody — not even the 
76 


Elsie^s Birthday 


birthday girl herself — enjoyed it all better 
than did Polly May. 

Polly was eagerly anticipating the time 
when Elsie should be presented with the sig- 
net ring, and followed Miss Lucy’s move- 
ments with watchful eyes. At last the nurse 
left the ward, and disappeared in the direc- 
tion of her own room. The moment must be 
close at hand! 

Dr. Dudley told funny stories, and Polly 
laughed with the rest; but her eyes were on 
the doorway, and her heart in a flutter of ex- 
citement. The moments piled up, and Miss 
Lucy did not come back. Polly grew anx- 
ious. Even Dr. Dudley looked at his watch, 
and glanced towards the door. 

When, after a good quarter of an hour, the 
nurse returned, Polly knew that something 
was wrong. ®r. Dudley knew it, too; and 
soon he and Miss Lucy were talking to- 
gether in low tones beyond the reach of 
Polly’s ears. Had something befallen the 
ring? What could be the matter? The child- 
ren were gleefully discussing the Doctor’s 
last story; but Polly’s thoughts were at the 
other end of the room. When Miss Lucy and 
77 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Dr. Dudley came back to them, however, 
both faces were so bright, Polly decided that 
she must have been mistaken, and looked for 
the ring to appear. But it was not so much 
as mentioned. The Doctor bade Elsie and 
the others good-bye, and Miss Lucy accom- 
panied him into the hall. 

After a while the suspense became unbear- 
able, and Polly started for Miss Lucy^s 
room. It was around the corner, on another 
corridor, and as Polly reached the turn she 
heard voices. Involuntarily she halted. 

^^It^s the strangest thing,’’ Miss Lucy was 
saying. “I remember laying it on the dresser 
after showing it to you, and then I was 
called away, and I can’t recollect putting it 
in the box. I know I locked the door when I 
went out — I don’t understand it!” 

^^And you say nobody but Polly has been 
in the room since?” 

The voice belonged to Miss Curtis, one of 
Miss Lucy’s closest friends. 

“Unless it was entered with a skeleton 
key.” 

“Well, there ’s only one solution to the mys- 
tery, it seems to me,” Miss Curtis replied. 
78 • 


Elsie^s Birthday 


won’t, I won’t believe it!” Miss Lucy- 
burst out. Polly is honesty itself. She 
would n’t do such a thing any more than — 
you or I would. If it were some children — 
but Polly!” 

You might question her anyway; ask her 
if she noticed the ring when she came in after 
those napkins.” 

— can’t! She’d see through it at once. 
Polly is bright. It would break her heart to 
know we had such a thought. I believe it got 
knocked off the dresser some way and will 
be found sooner or later; but I wanted to 
give it to Elsie to-day. I ’m all upset about 
it!” 

“Well, I can’t help thinking — ” 

Polly, weak and wretched, shrank away, 
and went softly back through the long cor- 
ridor. At the door of the ward she met Dr. 
Dudley. 

“I was looking for you,” he said. “Don’t 
you want to take that ride you missed this 
morning? I have a call to go down to Lin- 
wood, and it is just cool enough now to be 
pleasant. Better put on your coat; your 
dress is thin.” 


79 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


‘^Couldn’t you — take Elsie?’' faltered 
Polly faintly. 

^‘Elsie? Well, Thistledown, I feel hurt! 
Twice in one day! Have you sworn off from 
auto riding?” 

Usually this would have brought out a 
happy laugh, but now Polly merely an- 
swered, ^^No,” very soberly. 

should n’t dare to risk a ride for Elsie 
until her hip is better,” the Doctor resumed. 
‘H’ll try to take her some day, when she is a 
little further along. Now, run and get your 
hat. I ’ll wait for you.” 

Polly never quite forgot that ride. The 
fresh, twilight air, fragrant with dewy blos- 
soms; the exhilarating motion; the Doctor’s 
merry speeches; — these would have been 
sufficient at any other time to fill her with 
joy. Now she was but half conscious of them 
all; the dreadful ache in her heart over- 
powered everything else. She wondered if 
Dr. Dudley felt as Miss Lucy did. Or did 
he, with Miss Curtis, suspect her to be — a 
thief! She longed to cry out, ^‘Oh, I did n’t! 
I didn’t! I didn’t!” But, instead, she si- 
lently stared out on the dusky road, and 
80 


Elsie^s Birthday 


wished herself at home, in her own little bed, 
where she could let the tears come, and not 
have to push them back. 

She was glad, in a vague kind of way, when 
the auto slowed up at the hospital entrance, 
and the Doctor lifted her out. They walked 
up the flagging, hand in hand, the physi- 
cian as silent as she. She would have gone 
directly upstairs, but he drew her into his 
office. 

^‘Now, what is it. Thistledown?^^ he asked 
gently, taking her in his arms. 

She hid her face on his shoulder, and began 
to sob. 

He let the tears have their way for a 
time, resting his cheek lightly on her curls. 
Finally he spoke again. 

^Hs it about the ring, dear?^^ 

She nodded. 

^‘What have they been saying to you?^' 
he questioned savagely. 

^^N-nothing to me,’^ she replied. “I — 
heard — Miss Curtis — and Miss Lucy — 
talking. Miss Curtis — she thinks I — oh, 
dear! — she thinks I — took it! You donT 
think — I — took — 

81 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^^No!’^ thundered the Doctor, in so tre- 
mendous a voice that if Polly had n’t been 
in such depths of misery she would have 
laughed outright. 

As it was, she caught his hand to her lips, 
and kissed it, saying, ^‘You scared me!” 

‘‘Well, I’m sorry,” he smiled; “but you 
must n’t ask me such questions about my 
Thistledown, if you don’t want to hear me 
roar.” 

A wee giggle delighted his ears. 

“Now that’s something like it!” he said. 
“Don’t let’s bother any more about that 
ring. Probably we’ll find it to-morrow. If 
we don’t. I’ll buy Elsie another.” 

A faint, uncertain rapping made the phy- 
sician set Polly gently on her feet, while he 
opened the door. Nobody was in sight, and 
he kept on to the main entrance. 

A man stood outside, who deferentially 
removed his hat. 

“You b’long-a?” he asked. 

“Yes, I belong here. I am Dr. Dudley. 
Whom do you wish to see?” 

“I play out-a here — af’-a-noon-a,” with a 
sweep of his hand towards the left. ‘ ‘ Monkee 
82 


Elsie^s Birthday 


— him ba-ad-a monkee! Him take-a — 
yours? and he held out the missing ring. 

^^Oh, yes, that is ours!’’ the Doctor ex- 
claimed. “We have been trying to find it. — 
Polly! Polly! come here!” 

Polly obeyed, though slowly, because of 
her tears; but when she recognized the organ 
grinder curiosity hastened her steps. 

Dr. Dudley put the ring in her hand. 

“Why — ee!” she cried joyously. “El- 
sie’s ring! Oh, I’m so glad!” 

“Him ba’ad-a monkee ! ” grinned the man. 
“Him go up-a, up-a — window op’n — him 
go in-a. I see nobodee — I pull-a so ! Him 
no come. I pull-a so.'” and the man tugged 
hard on an imaginary cord. “Him come. 
Him got-a ring-a in leetle han’ — I no see! 
I take-a pennees — so,” and he went over a 
handful of invisible coins, — “I see!” point- 
ing to the ring. “ Where get-a? ” He stared 
wildly around, to show how great had been 
his amazement. “Ah-h! — him ba-ad-a 
monkee! — him get-a up-a beeg house — 
beeg seeck-house — yours!” He ended with 
a delighted grin, which signified his pleas- 
ure in having his surmises come true. 

83 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


thank you very much indeed/^ re- 
sponded Dr. Dudley earnestly, putting his 
hand in his pocket. Accept this for your 
trouble. And he held out a quarter. 

^‘Ah-h, no! Him ba-ad-a monkee!^^ He 
waved his hands gracefully. 

He went away, however, carrying the 
coin, and grinning his Good-bye.” 

Was n’t he funny?” laughed Polly, when 
the door was shut. ^‘He called this a sick- 
house!” 

^^Why not a sick-house as well as a sick- 
bed?” the Doctor smiled. 

But Polly only laughed, gazing down hap- 
pily on the little ring. 

^‘I’m so glad,” she breathed. ^^Now Miss 
Curtis will know!” 

^^Miss Lucy and I knew before,” was the 
instant reply. ^‘Better run upstairs and let 
Elsie have it while it is still her birthday.” 

‘‘Will you come, too?” 

“No; I’ll let you and Miss Lucy do the 
honors. There are some people I must see, 
and it is getting along towards sleep time. 
Good-night, Thistledown!” He stooped for 
a kiss, and she clung to him for a moment. 

84 


Elsie^s Birthday 


is so nice that you didn^t think I 
did!’’ she whispered. 

She tripped lightly upstairs, and across the 
ward to Miss Lucy’s side. She slipped the 
ring into her hand. 

The nurse stared her amazement. 

^^The monkey went in at your window, 
and took it!” beamed Polly. “The man’s 
just brought it back! He never knew it till 
he counted his money! Oh, he told it so 
funny!” 

“Well!” ejaculated the nurse. Then she 
echoed Polly’s own words, “I’m so glad!” 

The children were pressing near, eager to 
know what was exciting Miss Lucy and Polly. 

“Let’s see if it fits your finger, Elsie!” 
taking the hand of the astonished child. 
“Perfectly! It is a birthday present from 
Dr. Dudley and me. We were going to give 
it to you directly after tea; but when I looked 
for it, it was gone. Polly will tell you the rest.” 

And Polly did, imitating the organ 
grinder’s words and gestures, till her listen- 
ers were shaking with laughter. 

Elsie was too overpowered with joy to 
want to go to bed at all. 

85 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘When the lights are out I can^t see my 
ring!^^ she cried in sudden dismay. 

“But you can feel it/^ returned Polly. 

“Oh! may I keep it on my finger all night 
long?^^ she asked incredulously. 

“Certainly, dear,’^ the nurse replied. 

That was enough. Without another word 
she allowed herself to be undressed. 

The ward had been dark and quiet for at 
least two minutes when a voice piped out, 
“Miss Lucy! Oh, Miss Lucy!” 

“What is it, Elsie?” came the quick 
answer. 

“I just happened to think — you and Dr. 
Dudley and Polly and the organ man and 
the monkey and everybody have been living 
such a splendid story for my birthday! I 
did n’t thank you half enough!” 

“You have done just right, dear. All the 
thanks we wanted were in your happy face. 
Now pleasant dreams!” 

With a glad good-night, Elsie settled back 
contentedly on her pillow, the ring finger 
pressed against her cheek. And, at last, the 
hush of sleep brooded over the convalescent 
ward. 


CHAPTER VII 


THE LITTLE SAD LADY 

D avid grew strong steadily, but not 
so fast that Polly was allowed to see 
him as soon as they both wished. 
When, at last, she went up for a brief ten 
minutes, she was brimful of pleasure. 

want to know about the day you ran 
after Dr. Dudley for me,^^ began David, al- 
most at once; ^Hhe time I was so sick. The 
Doctor said you ’d tell me — he would nT, 
only that you had a race, and enjoyed it. I 
donT see how you could enjoy running your 
legs off for me; but it was awfully good of 
you.'' 

^‘Why," cried Polly, ^4t wasn't I that 
ran — at least, not much; it was Lone Star." 

^^Lone Star?" gasped David. Polly! do 
tell me quick!" 

‘^1 am telling you," she laughed. ^‘Lone 
Star, Colonel Gresham's beautiful horse, did 
87 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


the running — the trotting, I mean — why, 
David! what^s the matter?^' 

The boy’s eyes had grown big with excite- 
ment, and his cheeks were bright. 

Go on!” he breathed. 

That’s about all. I saw I wasn’t going to 
make the Doctor hear, and Colonel Gresham 
was right out there, and I told him how — 
sick you were, and asked him to catch the 
Doctor. I never thought of his taking me; 
but before I knew it I was in the buggy, and 
we were flying down the street like mad! 
Oh, I do wish you could have seen Lone Star 
go!” 

Did he know it was I? ” whispered David 
excitedly. 

“Lone Star — know?” and Polly’s fore- 
head puckered. “Oh,” she brightened, “you 
mean the Colonel! Why, yes, of course, he 
did! That is, I told him — no, I did n’t tell 
him much, though, till we were coming 
home. But what difference does it make?” 

“Lots!” murmured David disappointedly. 
“I hoped he knew — oh, I hoped he knew! 
Polly!” — and the doll-blue eyes grew 
mournful — “he’s my Uncle David!” 

88 


The Little Sad Lady 


Colonel Gresham — your uncle?’’ Now 
Polly’s eyes widened, too. 

''My mother’s uncle.” 

"Oh, is n’t that splendid!” beamed Polly. 
"I should think he’d have told me!” 

"Probably he would n’t have gone, if he’d 
known it was for me,” went on David. "He 
does n’t want anything to do with us. He 
has never forgiven mother for marrying my 
father; but mother loves him just the same as 
ever, and named me for him. I’ve never 
spoken to him, though. Queer, he should go 
after the Doctor for me!” 

David lay quite still for a moment. When 
he spoke again it was on an entirely differ- 
ent matter, and soon the ten minutes were 
up. 

"Did you know that David is related to 
Colonel Gresham?” Polly asked, as she went 
downstairs with Dr. Dudley. 

"No; how?” 

Polly told, adding what she had learned of 
the family history. 

The Doctor shook his head sadly. 

"I would n’t say anything about it to the 
children,” he cautioned her. "Such things 
89 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


are better left untalked of. David is an 
unusual boy.’’ 

^^When can he come down in our ward?” 
she questioned. 

^‘Very soon, if he keeps on improving as 
fast as he has lately.” 

As they halted at the foot of the stairs, the 
Doctor looked at his watch. 

“Tired?” he queried. 

“Not a bit,” she laughed. 

“Then we’ll keep on,” he smiled, taking 
her hand again. “There is a lady I ’d like you 
to see, one of my private patients.” 

“A young lady?” 

“She has white hair.” 

“Oh, an old lady!” 

“She is older than you and I.” 

“We are not old at all.” 

“And we never will grow old, will we?” 
twinkled the Doctor. 

“We shall have to, if we live long enough.” 

“No, we won’t; we’ll always keep young.” 

Polly was laughing, as they entered a cor- 
ridor in an “L” of the main building, a part 
of the hospital with which she was not fa- 
miliar; but she grew grave instantly, for the 
90 


The Little Sad Lady 


Doctor paused at a door, and she realized 
that here was the lady they had come to see. 

The introduction over, Polly found herself 
facing a worn little woman, with weary gray 
eyes, who looked more small and frail in con- 
trast with the great oaken chair in which she 
was pillowed. Mrs. Jocelyn, the Doctor had 
called her, and Polly liked the sound of the 
name; but she was not yet sure that she 
should like the owner of it. The lady did not 
smile when she said, almost as if having a 
visitor bored her : — 

‘^So you are staying here at the hospital. 
Dr. Dudley tells me. What do you find to do 
with yourself all day long?’’ 

Polly had the feeling that the little sad 
lady would never know whether she re- 
turned an answer or not, for her eyes seemed 
to be looking at something far away. Yet 
the reply was without hesitation, and primly 
courteous. 

help Miss Lucy make the beds and 
dress the babies, and I dust and I carry medi- 
cine and drinks of water. Then, when there 
is n’t anything to do to help, I read stories 
out loud, or tell them, and we play quiet 
91 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


games.” She paused, hunting for facts. ''Oh, 
and I go auto riding with Dr. Dudley!” she 
broke out brightly. "That’s very nice. And 
I’ve been to ride with Colonel Gresham!” 
she smiled. "I liked that. Lone Star was 
so splendid. Only David was awfully sick, 
and I was afraid he’d die, and I kept think- 
ing of him. He said he would take me again 
some day.” 

"My dear, I don’t quite understand. Da- 
vid Gresham sick? What David do you 
mean?” The little lady was waking up. 

"Oh, David Collins! He’s upstairs in the 
ward. Colonel Gresham took me to catch 
the Doctor.” 

And Polly related the story of the chase. 

"Collins! Why, it was Jack Collins that 
Eva Gresham married — the Colonel’s 
niece.” 

"Yes; David has told me that Colonel 
Gresham is his mother’s uncle,” Polly said 
simply. 

"Well, well! So he went after the Doctor 
for his grand-nephew — and did n’t know 
it till it was all over with! What strange 
things happen in this world ! A pretty good 
92 


The Little Sad Lady 


joke on David Gresham!^’ And the little 
sad lady actually smiled. Then she sighed. 

It is too bad ! If they ’d only make up ! But 
they never will. David is n’t built on the 
make-up plan — or Eva either, I fancy. 
Eva Gresham was a beautiful girl,” she 
rambled on, talking more to herself than to 
her interested listener. ^^She lived with her 
uncle from the time her parents died, when 
she was a tiny child. The Colonel idolized 
her.” A bit of a break in the soft voice made 
a momentary pause in the musing. Then it 
went on again. ^‘He had nothing in the 
world against Jack Collins, except that he 
was an artist, and poor. He would n’t have 
been poor, they say, if he had lived. His pic- 
tures were beginning to sell at good prices.” 

Suddenly she came back to Polly. 

^‘So the Colonel is going to take you driv- 
ing again! Well, my dear, you needn’t be 
afraid he’ll forget it; if he said he would, he 
will. I declare, you look a good deal as Eva 
used to when she was your age. She had just 
such golden hair and brown eyes.” 

David has blue eyes — the bluest I ever 
saw,” observed Polly. 

93 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


probably favors his father/^ replied 
Mrs. Jocelyn. 

The Doctor^s entrance put a stop to the 
talk, and presently Polly said good-bye, and 
went upstairs. 

Not many days afterwards she was sent 
with a message to Mrs. Jocelyn^s nurse, and 
the little lady caught sight of her at the door. 

Can’t you come in and stay a while? ” she 
called. 

‘^1 don’t know,” Polly hesitated, and she 
looked questioningly at the nurse. 

^‘Yes, I wish you would,” the young wo- 
man nodded. ‘‘I shall have to be away for a 
quarter of an hour or so, and if you will stay 
with Mrs. Jocelyn while I’m gone it will be 
an accommodation to me.” 

Polly seated herself smilingly. 

wonder if you are as happy as you 
look,” the little white-haired lady began. 

‘‘Oh, I’m always happy!” responded 
Polly; “that is, here,” she added. “I could 
n’t help being, it’s so pleasant, and every- 
body is so good to me.” 

The dull gray eyes rested sadly on her. 
“Weil, be happy while you can be,” their 
94 


The Little Sad Lady 


owner said. When you get to be old you’ll 
forget what happiness feels like.” 

‘^Oh, but I shan’t ever grow old!” laughed 
Polly. ^^Dr. Dudley and I are going to stay 
young!” 

The little lady shook her head, and then 
changed the subject. 

“How is David Collins getting on?” 

“He is ever so much better,” answered 
Polly; “and is n’t it too bad? He’s almost 
strong enough to come down into our ward, 
and there is n’t any room for him! I’ve had 
to go and sleep in Miss Lucy’s bed, so they 
could use my cot.” 

“Is the hospital so full as that?” scowled 
Mrs. Jocelyn. “Dear me, how many sick 
people there are!” 

“There are three or four waiting now to 
come down, ahead of David,” Polly went on. 
“I don’t know what we shall do if he can’t 
come at all! We’ve planned so many things. 
He said he’d tell part of the bedtime stories 
— oh, it was going to be lovely!” 

“Perhaps there ’ll be a place for him pretty 
soon,” the little lady responded. “Dr. Dud- 
ley says that you are a story-teller, too.” 

95 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Oh, yes ! Some days the children keep me 
telling them all day long.^’ 

‘‘Suppose you tell me one,” invited the 
little lady. 

“Well,” returned Polly, a bit doubtfully, 
and then stopped to think over her list. 
“The Cherry-Pudding Story,” which usu- 
ally insisted on being uppermost, would 
scarcely do this time, she thought. It seemed 
too rollicking for this big, hushed room, with 
only one sober-eyed listener. She hastily de- 
cided that none of the cat stories were suit- 
able, or fairy tales — “Oh!” she suddenly 
dimpled, “I wonder if you would nT like the 
story that David lent me. His aunt wrote it, 
and sent it to him. I read it to Miss Lucy 
and the children. It is about little Prince 
Benito and a wonderful flower.” 

“I shall be pleased to hear it,” was the 
polite reply. 

This seemed somewhat doubtful to Polly, 
used as she was to enthusiastic responses. 

“WonT it tire you?” she hesitated. 

“I am always tired, little one. Perhaps 
the story will rest me.” 

“Then Vl\ run right upstairs and get it,” 
96 


The Little Sad Lady 


beamed Polly. “I guess I can read it better 
than I can tell it. You don^t mind staying 
alone while I^m gone?’’ 

‘^No, indeed!” was the reply, yet she 
sighed after Polly had disappeared. All the 
brightness of the room seemed to have van- 
ished. 

The little sad woman soon found herself 
watching for the light returning footfalls, 
and she greeted the child with a faint smile. 

Polly read as she talked, naturally and 
with ease, and before she had finished the 
first page of the story her listener had settled 
herself comfortably among her pillows, a look 
of interest on her usually spiritless face. 

It was a fanciful tale of a beautiful little 
prince who, by sowing seeds of the Wonder- 
ful White Flower of Love, transformed his 
father’s kingdom, a country desolate from 
war and threatened by famine and insurrec- 
tion, into a land of prosperity and peace and 
joy. 

At the last word, Polly, flushed with the 
spirit of the story, looked up expectantly; 
but her listener’s weary eyes seemed to be 
studying the pattern of the dainty comfort 
97 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


across her lap. Sadly Polly gathered to- 
gether the scattered manuscript sheets, and 
waited. 

“Thank you, dear,^^ the little lady finally 
said; but the words were spoken as with an 
effort. 

“lam afraid I have tired you,” mourned 
Polly. 

“No, little one; you have only given me 
something to think of. You read unusually 
well. Perhaps wefil have another story some 
day. You don’t need to stay, if you have 
anything else to do. I shall want nothing 
until Miss Parkin comes.” 

Polly felt that she was dismissed, yet she 
had promised the nurse to remain. She hesi- 
tated a moment, and then said, “Good-bye,” 
and went out. She met Miss Parkin in the 
hall, and explained. 

Up in the ward. Miss Lucy was quick to 
see that Polly was troubled. 

“How did the story go?” she asked. 

“I don’t know,” Polly sighed. “I guess 
she did n’t like it, ’cause she seemed to be 
thinking about something else, and she said 
I need n’t stay any longer. I thought it 
98 


The Little Sad Lady 


would make her happier/’ she lamented, 
and all it did was to tire her ! ” Polly’s eyes 
were brimming over with tears. 

Never mind, dear,” said Miss Lucy com- 
fortingly. ^‘You did your part, and as well 
as you could; that’s all any of us can do. So 
don’t worry about it. There ’s Brida looking 
this way, as if she were just longing to talk 
with you.” 

‘^She shan’t wait another minute,” smiled 
Polly, and off she skipped, to make Brida 
and her followers merry. 


CHAPTER VIII 


A WARNING FROM AUNT JANE 

T owards noon came a telephone 
call for Polly to go down to Dr. Dud- 
ley’s office. Usually she sped gladly 
to obey such a summons; now she was as- 
sailed by a sudden fear. 

“Have I made her very much worse?” 
was her instant inquiry, as the Doctor 
opened his door. 

“Made whom worse?” he questioned. 
“Why, Mrs. Jocelyn!” 

“I have heard nothing from her. What is 
it?” 

Polly told of her visit and of the reading. 
“Is that all! ” the Doctor laughed. “ Don’t 
worry about it any more, little girl! Your 
stories are not the kind that harm people. 
What did you read? One that I know? ” 

“I don’t think so,” Polly replied. “I did 
n’t tell you about Prince Benito, did I?” 

100 


A Warning from Aunt Jane 


The physician shook his head. ‘^Suppose 
you tell it to me now/^ he suggested. 

So, perched comfortably upon the arm of 
his chair, Polly related the story of ^‘The 
Wonderful White Flower. 

see,’’ he mused, as Polly stopped speak- 
ing. He was silent a moment. Then he went 
on. 

‘^Mrs. Jocelyn lost her only child, a beau- 
tiful little boy, when he was eight years old. 
It is not unlikely that this story awakened 
tender memories.” 

“I ’m sorry I made her feel bad,” grieved 
Polly. 

would n’t be if I were you.” 

A Why ! ” of wonder was rounding Polly’s 
lips, as the physician continued: — 

^‘Perhaps you have done Mrs. Jocelyn 
more good than you will ever know. Since 
her husband and little boy died she has shut 
people out of her life, seldom leaving her 
home, and rarely entertaining a guest. From 
what she has said to me I judge that she has 
allowed herself to brood over her sorrows till 
she has become bitter and melancholy. Let ’s 
hope that your little story will open her eyes.” 

101 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^^Does she live all alone when she is 
home?” queried Polly. 

Alone with her servants.” 

^^Oh, then she is n’t poor! I thought she 
must be.” 

Dr. Dudley smilingly shook his head. 
^^She has more money than probably you or 
I will ever handle, little girl; but we’ll have 
better riches than gold, won’t we?” 

Yes ; you ’ll make people well, and I ’ll try 
to make them happy,” returned Polly, a 
sweet seriousness on her usually merry face. 
‘^I wish I could make everybody in the 
world happy,” she added. 

“That is too big a job for one little 
Thistledown, ’’laughed Dr. Dudley. “There!” 
he exclaimed, “I nearly forgot what I called 
you down for! Colonel Gresham hailed me 
out here, and asked if you could go to Forest 
Park, this afternoon, with him and Lone Star. 
I said yes. Was that all right?” 

“Of course!” beamed Polly. “Isn’t it 
lovely of him to ask me? Had I better tell 
him that David is better?” 

“Not unless he inquires,” the Doctor an- 
swered. “He said he would be here at three 
102 


A Warning from Aunt Jane 


o’clock. You can come down a little before 
that, and keep a lookout for him, so as not 
to make him wait.” 

Polly was on hand, in the Doctor’s office, 
while it still lacked fifteen minutes of the 
hour; but the Colonel was early, and the 
waiting time was short. Very sweet she 
looked, as she ran down the stone walk to the 
street, in her dainty new white dress with 
simple ruffies edging neck and sleeves. In the 
delight of the moment Polly did not forget 
the children up at the ward windows, but 
waved them a gay good-bye, while Colonel 
Gresham greeted the bobbing heads with a 
graceful swing of his straw hat. 

There was not much talk at first, for the 
way to the park lay through the heart of the 
city; but Polly was content silently to watch 
the changing throngs around them. 

Suddenly the Colonel drew up his horse in 
response to a call from the sidewalk, and 
presently was in a business talk with the man 
who had arrested him. 

‘‘I shall have to leave you for a mo- 
ment,” he said, at length, turning to Polly. 
^‘I’ll be back shortly.” And. having fast- 
103 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


ened Lone Star, he disappeared up a stair- 
way. 

Polly was enjoying this little break, when 
she caught sight of a well-known face. ‘^It’s 
Aunt Jane ! ” she murmured, and was 
promptly seized with a desire to hide. 
Breathlessly she watched the woman in the 
black dress, hoping for escape from those 
ferret eyes; but the horse and carriage were 
conspicuous, and Aunt Janets glance fell first 
on Lone Star and then passed to the little 
girl upon the seat. 

“Polly May!^^ she exclaimed, and Polly 
smiled a somewhat uncertain greeting. 

“How in the world did you come here?^' 
twanged the remembered voice. 

“Colonel Gresham is taking me to ride,'^ 
was the explanation, “and he^s gone up- 
stairs a minute.’^ 

“Colonel Gresham! Goodness gracious 
me! Well, you are cornin’ up in the world! 
Why hain’t you been round to see me?” 

“I’m — pretty busy,” answered Polly, 

a j >> 

^^Busy! Huh, you must be! Well, so ’m I 
busy, or I should ’a’ been up after you before 
104 


A Warning from Aunt Jane 


this. Guess youVe stayed at that hospital 
» ’bout long enough. You might ’s well be 
helpin’ me as gallivantin’ round with Tom, 
Dick, and Harry.” 

— thought I was going to stay all sum- 
mer,” faltered Polly. 

I did n’t make no special agreement, and 
now there’s cannin’ and picklin’ and what- 
not to do, I could keep you out o’ mischief 
easy. Where ’d you get that dress?” 

^‘Miss Lucy bought it for me.” 

''She did, hey? Well, ’t ain’t hurt with 
trimmin’, is it?” 

The Colonel appearing at the moment. 
Aunt Jane made a rather hurried departure, 
while she assured Polly that she would "be 
round before long.” 

"Who is that woman?” inquired Colonel 
Gresham. 

"My Aunt Jane,” was the soft answer. 

"What’s her other name?” 

"Mrs. Simpson. Uncle Gregory — that 
was her husband — was killed when the 
building fell, and I was hurt.” 

"Oh, yes! I recollect. Well, is Aunt Jane 
good to you? Do you love her very much?” 

105 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Polly waived the first question, and pro- 
ceeded to the second. afraid I don’t < 

love her at all,” she replied honestly. 
course, I ought to; but I don’t.” 

^^It is mighty hard to love some folks,” 
meditated the Colonel. think I should 
rather do a season’s ploughing than to at- 
tempt to love that Aunt Jane.” 

Polly smiled, and then returned to the 
question she had left behind. “I guess she’s 
pretty good to me,” she said. ^^She never 
whipped me.” 

^'Whipped you!” the Colonel exclaimed. 

should hope not!” 

Aunts do whip sometimes,” Polly 
nodded soberly. Bessie Jackson’s aunt 
whipped her — awful! I’d run away!” 

^^Yes,” the Colonel agreed, ^‘that would 
be the best thing in such a case — though 
perhaps this Bessie deserved the whipping.” 

^^No, she did n’t!” Polly assured him. 

Well, now. I’ll tell you,” he went on con- 
fidentially, ‘‘if anybody ever lays a finger on 
you, just you come to my house, and I’ll see 
that you are treated all right. Remember 
that now!” 


106 


A Warning from Aunt Jane 


Polly chuckled a ^Hhank you/’ and Colo- 
nel Gresham began talking about the park, 
the entrance of which they were nearing. 

Polly tried to put Aunt Jane from her 
mind; but the threatened possibilities kept 
thrusting themselves into the Colonel’s 
merry speeches, until she scarcely compre- 
hended what he was saying. Little by little, 
however, the beauties of her surroundings 
overpowered all else, and Aunt Jane was for 
the time almost forgotten. 

The wise men who had planned Forest 
Park had known better than to try to im- 
prove on nature’s handiwork, and rocks and 
ravines, brooks and pools, wooded slopes and 
ferny tangles, were left practically unchanged. 
Polly loved birds and flowers and all the 
scents and sounds of summer flelds and 
woods, and now, as the air came laden with 
faint perfume, and a carol burst into the still- 
ness, she clasped her little hands together with 
a soft breath of delight. 

Colonel Gresham watched her in furtive 
silence. Finally she turned towards him. 

should think it would make sick people 
well to come out here, should n’t you?” 

107 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


‘‘Some of them/^ he nodded. 

“I’m going to tell Mrs. Jocelyn all about 
it. Perhaps it would make her happier if 
she ’d come.” 

“What Mrs. Jocelyn is that?” asked the 
Colonel. 

“I don’t know her other name. The one 
that’s at the hospital — she’s small, and has 
white hair. Her husband and little boy died.” 

“Oh, yes! Juliet Jocelyn, probably; but I 
did n’t know that she was sick.” 

“She’s had an operation, I think; but 
she ’s getting well now. I ’ ve been to see her 
twice. Yesterday I read her a story.” 

“I hope she appreciated it,” observed the 
Colonel dryly. 

“I’m not sure,” Polly replied; “she did n’t 
say. Do you know Mrs. Jocelyn?” 

“I knew her a long time ago,” was the 
grave answer, as he turned his horse into 
the road that wound up the eastern side of 
the mountain. 

“Oh, you’re going to take the Cliff 
Drive!” cried Polly delightedly. “Dr. Dud- 
ley could n’t go, because they won’t let 
autos up there.” 


108 


A Warning from Aunt Jane 


^‘No, for one might meet a skittish horse. 
I like to come up here once in a while for the 
view.’’ 

^‘I’m not going to look till we get clear 
up,” Polly declared. And resolutely she kept 
her eyes the other way. 

^^Nowl” announced Colonel Gresham. 

Polly turned her head — and held her 
breath. Then she let it out in one long sigh 
of rapture. 

Before them lay the city, glittering in the 
afternoon sunshine, while beyond, to the 
north and east and south, green hills formed 
a living frame for the picture. 

^^It is worth coming for,” said the Colo- 
nel, at last. There is your home — see?” 

‘^Oh, yes! It looks like a castle in a 
forest.” 

And then — when joy was uppermost — 
Aunt Jane’s threat crowded in. 

Polly’s eyes wandered from the castle” 
in the direction of the home she dreaded. 

Colonel Gresham noted the sudden shadow 
on the bright face, and took up the reins. 

On the way back they stopped at a con- 
fectioner’s, and the Colonel brought out a 
109 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


package and laid it on Polly lap. There 
is something to remember the drive by/’ he 
said. 

^^Oh, thank you!” she beamed. '^But I 
don’t need anything more to make me re- 
member it,” she added. ^^It has been beau- 
tiful — right straight through I — Except 
Aunt Jane!” she put in honestly, under her 
breath, and again her face was shadowed. 

^^It is the best way,” observed the Colo- 
nel, ^Ho let disagreeable things slip off our 
shoulders at once. If we should carry them 
all, we should have a sorry load.” 

guess I’ll do that way,” smiled Polly; 
^‘but Aunt Jane don’t slip easy!” 

Shake her off,” laughed the Colonel, 
^^and she’ll go!” 

It was a happy moment up in the ward 
when Polly opened her box of candy. Such 
chocolates, such candied cherries and straw- 
berries, with tiny tongs to lift them with, the 
children had never seen. They chose one 
apiece all round, which Miss Lucy said was 
enough for that day, and Polly carried the 
box down to the Doctor’s office, that he 
might taste her sweets. It never occurred to 

no 


A Warning from Aunt Jane 


her that she was entitled to more than the 
others. 

Dr. Dudley heard all about the drive, but 
nothing of Aunt Jane. Polly had decided to 
take the ColoneFs advice — if she could, and 
she recollected with relief that Aunt Jane 
was always more ready to threaten than to 
perform. 

A few days afterwards Dr. Dudley sent 
early for Polly. 

Anyway it is n^t Aunt Jane at this 
time,^^ she assured herself, as she ran down- 
stairs. 

‘‘Mrs. Jocelyn wants to see you right 
away,’^ the Doctor told her. 

“She does?’^ wondered Polly. “Do you 
know for what?’’ 

“I don’t know anything,” he smiled; “but 
I guess a good deal.” 

“Oh! what do you guess it is?” she en- 
treated. 

He shook his head laughingly. “I should 
hate to have you discover that I was n’t a 
good guesser,” he said. “Run along, and find 
out for sure!” 

Polly was astonished to see how greatly the 
111 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


little lady had changed. Her cheeks re- 
flected the delicate pink of the robe she was 
wearing, and her eyes were glad. Her voice 
was full of eagerness. 

^^Here comes the little sunbeam!^’ she 
smiled. “Did I interrupt any task or play? 
She drew Polly within the circle of her arm. 
“I could n’t wait another moment to thank 
you for reading me that story of the little 
prince. It brought back my own little 
Lloyd, who was always planting those seeds 
of love wherever he went. But since he left 
me I have been like that forgetful queen 
mother, too wrapped up in myself to think 
of others. Now I am going to begin to grow 
those ^wonderful white flowers.’” Her eyes 
shone through tears. 

Polly did not know what to say; she only 
looked her sympathy and appreciation. 

“Tell me about David,” the little lady 
went on. “ Is he well enough to come down- 
stairs?” 

“Yes, he’s all ready,” was the reply; “but 
he’s got to wait for somebody to go. Elsie 
was to leave to-day or to-morrow; but she 
needs a little more treatment. Dr. Dudley 
112 


A Warning from Aunt Jane 


says. So I don^t know when David can 
come.’^ 

know!^’ responded Mrs. Jocelyn confi- 
dently. ^^He is coming down to the con- 
valescent ward — let me see, I think it may 
be this afternoon, but to-morrow morning 
sure!’^ 

^^Wh-y! how can he?’’ gasped Polly. 

There are three ahead of him, and there 
are n’t any more beds!” 

‘‘There will be before long,” chuckled the 
little lady gayly. “I have been having a bit 
of a talk with Dr. Dudley, and he tells me 
that there is plenty of room in your ward for 
six or more cots — and Polly May is going to 
buy them! That is, she can if she chooses.” 

Polly’s face was one big interrogation 
point. “Why! I don’t — ” she began, but 
was interrupted by a kiss, right on her lips. 

“Oh, you dear, precious little innocent!” 
cried Mrs. Jocelyn. “Read that, and see if it 
will tell you anything!” She took a strip of 
paper from the table, and put it into Polly’s 
hand. 

Across the top, in large letters, was the 
name of a bank. The rest was partly printed 
113 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


and partly written. Polly read wonder- 
ingly: — 

Pay to the order of Polly May Three 
Hundred Dollars. 

Juliet P. Jocelyn. 

^^0-o-h!’’ and Polly face was beautiful in 
its joy; ‘^does this mean that you^re going to 
give me three hundred dollars to buy some 
new cots with?^^ 

^Ht means that the money is your own to 
use exactly as you please.’^ The little lady 
was scarcely less excited than the child. Giv- 
ing was to her almost an untried pleasure. 

^^Oh, I canT, I canT, I canT thank you 
enough! It is so lovelicious!’^ Then Polly 
threw her arms around the happy donor in a 
way that would have made her cry out with 
actual pain if she had not been too delighted 
to realize it. 

think that will cover the cost of six or 
seven cots, equipped for use,’’ said Mrs. 
Jocelyn, — “that is, if you wish to spend the 
money for them.” The gray eyes actually 
twinkled. 


114 


A Warnmg from Aunt Jane 


^‘Why, of course I do!^’ cried Polly, 
'^What else could I do with it?’^ 

^^You couldn’t, you blessed child! So 
we’ll have David downstairs just as soon as 
his bed is ready, won’t we?” 

^^Yes, and how glad he’ll be! Oh, how 
glad he ’ll be ! And Brida and Elsie — they ’ve 
been dreadfully afraid they’d have to go 
home before he came down; they want to see 
him so! Won’t they be pleased!” 

want to see David, too,” declared the 
little lady, ^^and he must come down with 
you as soon as he is strong enough — unless 
I get well first,” she laughed. feel almost 
well now.” 

Polly beamed her delight, and presently 
was racing upstairs to tell her good news to 
everybody. 

Dr. Dudley managed to get away before 
noon for the pleasant errand of purchasing 
the beds, and Polly was overflowing with 
bliss. She had her choice in everything, with 
the Doctor and the merchant as advisers; 
and although the bill footed up to a little 
more than the check, the difference was 
struck off, and the cots and bedding pro- 
115 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


mised to be at the hospital by two o^clock 
that afternoon. 

The convalescent ward was in such an 
ecstasy of excitement that dinner went 
poorly; but finally it was cleared away, and 
the cots moved to make room for those that 
were coming. Everybody helped that could 
walk — even those that had to hobble on 
crutches, for there were many little things to 
do, and only a short time to do them in. 
Polly was Miss Lucy’s ready right hand, 
with always a flock of eager assistants. When 
the beds were actually in place, and the men 
had gone away, came the delightful task 
of spreading on the sheets and blankets and 
pretty coverlets. All was in readiness be- 
fore the hour specified, and then there was 
nothing to do but to wait for the coming of 
the new patients. 

At last there were footsteps on the stairs, 
uneven footsteps, as of one bearing a burden 
— the children had started! David was the 
last, and Polly had begun to be troubled, 
lest, after all, something might have delayed 
him until another day. But there he was, 
smiling to her, and waving a thin little hand 
116 


A Warning from Aunt Jane 


in greeting. Polly wished that Mrs. Jocelyn 
could be there to see it all. When David was 
finally in bed, with Polly by his side, he 
said : — 

‘^Now, tell me all about it, please! It was 
such a splendid surprise!” 

So Polly told just how it had happened, 
and talked and kept on talking, until she 
suddenly discovered that David was looking 
a little weary — though he insisted that he 
was not tired. But in her motherly way, that 
was the delight of the ward, she bade him 
shut his eyes and ^^go right to sleep,” giving 
his hand a final caressing pat, and then run- 
ning away to let him have a chance to follow 
her injunction. 


CHAPTER IX 


A NIGHT OF SONG 

D avid had been nearly three whole 
days in the convalescent ward, taking 
big leaps on the road to health, when 
Polly was summoned to Dr. Dudley^s office. 
Since her meeting with Aunt Jane, the sharp- 
voiced woman was ever close at hand, ready 
instantly to appear in the little girhs thought 
and fill her with sickening fear. Now Polly ^s 
feet lagged as she went downstairs; she 
dreaded to look into the office. But Dr. Dud- 
ley was there quite' alone, smiling a blithe 
good-morning. 

‘^Miss Price wishes your assistance in the 
care of a patient,’^ he began. 

Wh-y!” breathed Polly, ^‘how funny — 
for her to want me!’^ 

‘‘She is nursing Burton Leonard, the 
physician explained, “a little six-year-old 
boy who was operated upon yesterday for 
appendicitis. His life depends on his being 
118 


A Night of Song 


quiet, but he will not keep still. Miss Price 
thinks you can help out by telling him a story 
or two, something that will make him forget, 
if possible, how terribly thirsty he is.’^ 

^^Can^t he have anything to drink? ques- 
tioned Polly, with a sympathetic little 
frown. 

^^Only an occasional sip of warm water — 
nothing cold.’’ 

‘^I’ll do my best,” she promised. shall 
love to help, if I can.” 

Dr. Dudley took her hand, and down the 
corridor they went, the one with long strides, 
the other on dancing feet. 

Master Burton stared at his visitor, his big 
black eyes looking bigger in contrast with 
the white, drawn little face. 

‘^What you come for?” he asked fret- 
fully. 

^^To see you,” smiled Polly. 

do’ want to be seen,” was the unex- 
pected reply, and he pulled the sheet over his 
head. 

Polly laughed, and waited. 

Presently the black eyes again appeared. 

^‘Why don’t you lie abed?” he whined. 
119 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘1 did till I got well” 

^^Did they make you lie still? he ques- 
tioned. 

‘^Yes, I had to keep very still indeed.’’ 

‘‘I don’t,” he whispered, glancing towards 
the Doctor, who was just passing out. When 
they ain’t lookin’ I wriggle round!” 

You’d get well quicker if you’d do just 
as Miss Price and Dr. Dudley tell you,” ad- 
vised Polly. 

‘^Huh! my mamma says nobody on earth 
can make me mind!” He beckoned her 
nearer. Say,” he chuckled, ^^she put an ice 
bag on me,” with a wink towards the nurse, 
^^and I got out some o’ the ice! It’s awful 
good! She would n’t give me a drop o’ wa- 
ter, only horrid old warm stuff.” He showed 
his tongue, with a bit of ice upon it. 

Polly was shocked. In the light of what 
the physician had told her, she realized that 
the boy was ignorantly thwarting the efforts 
of those who were trying to save his life. She 
did not know what to say. 

“Do you like stories?” she finally asked. 

The lad looked surprised, but answered, 
“Some kinds. Why?” 

120 


A Night of Song 


‘‘I thought I^d tell you one, if you’d like 
me to.” 

^^Do you know one ’bout soldiers?” 
don’t believe I do; but I know a song 
about a soldier.” 

^^Can you sing?” 

^^Yes.” 

^^Sing, then.” 

^‘Will you lie still if I will?” asked Polly. 

^‘It’s a go!” 

So Polly sang the old, old song of ^^The 
Drummer Boy of Waterloo,” one that her 
grandmother had taught her when she was 
a wee girl. 

The boy was true to his promise, and re- 
mained motionless until the last note ceased. 

Sing it again 1 ” he commanded. That ’s 

a dandy!” 

Twice, three times more, the sad little 
ditty was sung; then the sweet voice slipped 
softly into Holland’s ^‘Lullaby,” which had 
been learned from hearing it sung by Miss 
Lucy to restless little patients. 

“Rockaby, lullaby, bees in the clover, 

Crooning so drowsily, crying so low. 

Rockaby, lullaby, dear little rover, 

121 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Down into wonderland, 

Down to the underland, 

Down into wonderland go! 

“Rockaby, lullaby, dew on the clover! 

Dew on the eyes that will sparkle at dawn. 
Rockaby, lullaby, dear little rover, 

Into the stilly world. 

Into the lily world. 

Into the lily world gone!” 


Before Polly reached the last word the 
song had died almost to a breath, for Burton 
was ‘‘gone^^ — fast asleep. For a time she 
watched him. His breathing was slow and 
steady. Finally she slipped softly from her 
chair, and glanced across the room. Miss 
Price nodded and smiled, and Polly tip- 
toed towards the door, beckoning her to 
follow. 

Outside, in the corridor, the nurse heard 
of the mischievous act of her little patient. 

did n’t think he would do that ! ” sighed 
Miss Price, and she shook her head gravely. 
“You are right to tell me at once,” she went 
on; “but I will not let Burton know that I 
learned of it through you. Thank you for 
coming down. You may like to hear,” she 
122 


A Night of Song 


added, as Polly was starting away, ^Hhat I 
had good news from Turkey this morning. 
My sister is better; they think she is going to 
get well.^' 

^‘Oh, I^m so glad!” beamed Polly. Then, 
impulsively, she put up her arms, and the 
next minute they were around the neck of 
Miss Hortensia Price. 

This time she felt sure that the stately 
nurse did like kisses, else why should she re- 
turn them so cordially, and presently Polly 
was skipping upstairs, full of gladness that 
her service had been a success. 

That night, in the hour before bedtime, 
David was entertainer. Polly had promised 
the children delightful stories from him, and 
now he made good her word. He chose for 
his recital something of his aunt^s that Polly 
had never heard, the true account of how 
some little tricksy Southern boys obtained a 
pet goat. David had shown his wisdom in 
making his first selection a story that would 
please the crowd. The children laughed and 
laughed over it, and begged for another. 
The second was as unlike the first as possible. 
It was about a little princess who was carried 
123 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


into captivity by some rough people, and 
who won the hearts of everybody, even those 
of her captors, by her gentleness and love, 
and who finally, through her brave unselfish- 
ness, found her way to freedom and happi- 
ness. 

‘‘I M love to be like that Princess Yvonne,” 
sighed Polly. 

It was in David’s heart to say, ^^You are 
more nearly like her than any girl I ever 
saw,” but the words were not spoken. He 
only smiled across to Miss Lucy, who sent 
him a smile of comprehension in return. 
These two had quickly learned to under- 
stand each other without words. 

^Ht is so hard always to love everybody,” 
Polly went on. She was thinking of Aunt 
Jane. ‘‘Do you love everybody. Miss Lucy, 
— every single body?” 

The nurse laughed softly. “I’m afraid I 
sometimes find it a difficult task,” she ad- 
mitted; “but even when we dislike people, or 
do not exactly love them, we can wish them 
well, and be ready to do them kindnesses 
whenever it is possible. And we can usu- 
ally find something lovable in everybody, 
124 


A Night of Song 


if we look for it deep enough and long 
enough/^ 

There was a moment^s hush, and then Elsie 
piped out: — 

David, canT you tell another story, 
please?’’ 

^^It is pretty nearly bedtime,” Miss Lucy 
suggested. ^^If we have one, it must be 
short.” 

‘‘Oh, David, sing a song — do!” begged 
Polly. 

“Can he sing? ” queried Cornelius wonder- 
ingly. 

“Beautifully!” answered Polly. 

“You don’t know!” laughed David. 
“You never heard me.” 

“Yes, I do know!” insisted Polly. “They 
would n’t let you sing solos at St. Paul’s 
Church if you did n’t sing well — so!” 

The children waited in astonished silence. 
This was an accomplishment of David’s 
which had not been told them. 

Miss Lucy propped him up a little higher 
among his pillows, and then he began the 
sweet vesper hymn, “The King of Love my 
Shepherd is.” 


125 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


The children were very quiet until they 
were sure that the singing was over. Then 
Brida voiced everybody’s thought. 

‘^Was n’t that beautiful!” 

Presently Polly was going about her little 
nightly tasks humming the melody to her- 
self. She was quick to catch an air, and with 
a bit of prompting from David she soon had 
the words. 

‘^Oh, you and David can sing it to us to- 
gether to-morrow night!” cried Elsie, and 
there was a responsive chorus from all over 
the ward. 

Polly went to sleep singing the hymn in 
her heart. 

Miss Lucy’s cot was nearest the door, and 
shortly after midnight she waked with the 
sound of a rap in her ears. Hastily throwing 
on a robe which was always at hand, she an- 
swered with a soft, ^^What is it?” 

^‘Burton Leonard is worse,” came in Dr. 
Dudley’s low voice, ‘‘and he wants Polly to 
sing to him. Get her ready as quick as you 
can, please.” 

The little girl was dreaming of Aunt Jane. 
She was trying to hold a tall ladder straight 
126 


A Night of Song 


up in the air, while Aunt Jane climbed to the 
top, and her aunt was fretting because she 
did not keep it steady. ^^Oh, I can^t hold on 
a minute longer!^’ Polly dreamed she was 
saying to herself. ^^Butlmust! I must! be- 
cause Miss Lucy said we were to do kind- 
nesses for anybody we did n’t love!” 

Then she roused enough to know that 
Miss Lucy was bending over her, whispering: 

Polly dear! can you wake up?” 

^^Oh! David?” Polly’s first thought was 
for her friend. 

‘^No, darling; David’s all right. Dr. Dud- 
ley wants you to come down and sing to little 
Burton Leonard.” 

‘^Oh, of course I’ll go!” Polly was wide 
awake now, and ready for anything. 

She and Miss Lucy made speedy work of 
the dressing. Dr. Dudley was outside the 
door waiting for her, and quietly they went 
downstairs. 

^'I’ll have to sing pretty soft; shan’t I?” 
she questioned; ^^or it will disturb other 
folks.” 

^^Yes,” the physician agreed. ^‘But the 
room is rather isolated anyway, at the end 
127 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


of the wing. There ’s nobody near that 
there any danger of harming.^’ 

Hullo came in a weak little voice, as 
Polly entered the doorway. told ’em I’d 
keep still if you’d sing to me; but I did n’t 
b’lieve you’d come. I thought you’d be too 
sleepy.” 

The boy’s mother was nervously smooth- 
ing his pillow, but at a word from the physi- 
cian she retired to a seat beside the nurse. 

A small electric light glowed at the other 
end of the apartment, and the night wind 
blew in at the open window, fluttering the 
leaves of a magazine that lay near. Polly 
felt awed by the hush of seriousness that 
seemed to fill the room. Although the Doc- 
tor spoke in his usual tone, the voices of the 
others scarcely rose above a whisper. She 
was glad when Dr. Dudley took her upon his 
knee. His encircling arm gave her instant 
cheer. 

Sing ’bout the ^ Drummer Boy ’ ! ” begged 
the sick child, plaintively, and there was 
something in his tone that gave Polly a 
pang of fear. How different from his com- 
mands of the morning! 

128 


A Night of Song 


Very soft was the singing, as if in keeping 
with the occasion and the hour, yet every 
word was clear. 

From ‘‘The Drummer Boy^’ Polly slipped 
easily into “The Star-Spangled Banner,'^ 
“America,’’ “Columbia, the Gem of the 
Ocean,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Re- 
public.” Then came two or three negro mel- 
odies and some songs she had learned at 
school, at the end of which Dr. Dudley 
whispered to her to stop and rest. 

While she was singing, the sick boy had 
lain motionless; but now he began to nestle, 
and called fretfully, “Water! water! do give 
me some water!” 

The nurse fetched a glass, but as soon as he 
discovered that it was warm, he would not 
taste it. 

“Sing more!” he pleaded. 

So again Polly sang, beginning with “My 
Old Kentucky Home,” and then charming 
the Doctor with one of his favorites, “’Way 
down upon the Swanee Ribber.” “Annie 
Laurie” came next, then “Those Evening 
Bells,” and other old songs which her grand- 
mother had taught her. 

129 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


afraid you^re getting too tired,” Dr. 
Dudley told her; but she smilingly shook her 
head, and sang on. 

Once or twice the lad drowsed, and she 
stopped for a bit of a rest, until his insistent, 
‘^Sing more!” roused her from a momentary 
dream. 

The mother sat a little apart, but kept her 
eyes on her boy^s face, ready for instant 
service. 

Several times the physician reached over 
to feel his patient’s pulse, and seemed satis- 
fied with what he found. 

So the night dragged by. 

It was early dawn when Miss Price, in 
answer to the repeated call, again fetched 
water, and, as before, the child refused it. 

“Take away that nasty old hot stuff, and 
bring me some cold!” he commanded, with a 
spurt of his usual lordliness. 

The nurse gently urged him to taste it; 
but he only pushed the spoon away. 

Dr. Dudley was about to speak, when 
Polly interposed with the first lines of 
“The Secret,” a little song she had learned in 
her last days of school. Her voice was loud 
130 


A Night of Song 


enough to catch the boy^s attention, but the 
words were sung slowly and confidentially. 

“What do you think is in our back yard? 

P’rhaps you can guess, if you try real hard. 

It is n’t a puppy, or little white mice. 

But it’s something that’s every bit as nice! 

Oh, no, it’s not chickens or kittens at all!” 

She broke off, her eyes smilingly meeting 
Burton’s. 

^^What is it?” he asked feebly. 

“Take some of that,” she replied, pointing 
to the cup, and I’ll sing “the rest.” 

He frowned at her, as she leaned back on 
the Doctor’s shoulder. In her attitude he 
saw nothing of hope, unless he complied with 
her requirement. Without another protest 
he swallowed a few spoonfuls of the liquid. 

Then Polly went on. 

“Can’t you think what is soft and round and small? 

It’s two little — somethings, as white as snow! 

Two dear baby rabbits ! — there, now — you know!” 

“Sing it again!” he begged. 

Soon his eyelids dropped together, but as 
the song was ended he opened them wide, 
with a silent appeal for more. 

So the tired little girl sang the lullaby that 
131 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


had put him to sleep early the day before. 
This time it did not have the hoped-for effect, 
and the vesper hymn which David had sung 
— at the bedtime hour which now seemed so 
very far away — came to the singer’s mind. 
Softly she began the tender little song, going 
through it without a break. 

At its close the boy lay quite still, and with 
a sigh of relief her bright head drooped on the 
pillowing shoulder. 

The Doctor leaned forward, and listened. 
The lad’s breathing was soft and regular. 

Sound asleep at last! Now, Thistle- 
down — a-h! ” he gasped, for Polly lay on his 
arm, a limp little heap. 

With great strides he carried her to the 
window. 

The nurse reached the couch as soon as he, 
and thrust a globule into his hand. 

Crushing it in his handkerchief, he passed 
it before the child’s nostrils, and with a little 
fluttering breath the brown eyes opened. 

guess — I — was — a little tired,” 
Polly said brokenly. 

You were faint — that’s all. Don’t try 
to talk.” 


132 


A Night of Song 


Miss Price brought some medicine in a 
glass, and Polly obediently swallowed the 
draught. 

^^Is she all right now?” whispered Mrs. 
Leonard, who had been standing back, fran- 
tically clasping and unclasping her nervous 
little hands. 

The nurse nodded. ^^For a minute I was 
afraid — she is not very strong; but it was 
only a faint.” 

^^If anything had happened, I should 
never have forgiven myself for letting her 
sing so long! But did nT he go off to sleep 
beautifully. Just look at him — still as a 
mouse 1 ” And the two moved nearer the bed. 

Polly went upstairs in Dr. Dudley^s arms, 
can — walk,” she murmured. 

‘^No; I want the pleasure of carrying you,” 
was the light response, and for answer a soft 
little hand stroked his own. 

Miss Lucy met them at the door of the 
ward, and her face was white with fear. 

^^She was tired and a little faint,” the 
Doctor explained. ‘A thought I^d better 
bring her up.” 

‘‘DonT worry — Miss Lucy!” smiled 
133 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Polly. — all right.” She sighed softly, 

as her head touched the pillow. 

Precious child!” murmured the nurse, 
and then followed the Doctor to the door. 

^^Has she been singing all this time?” Re- 
proach was in the gentle tone. 

He bowed. know! It was too severe a 
strain. But she did n’t seem very tired until 
just at the last — and it has probably saved 
the boy’s life.” 

^^That is good — if it hasn’t hurt her,” 
Miss Lucy added anxiously. 

‘‘I think not,” he replied. ^^She seems to 
be all right now. She will probably sleep late 
from exhaustion. Do you suppose you can 
keep the children quiet?” 

Quiet? Bless them! they won’t stir, if 
they know it is going to disturb Polly!” 

Dr. Dudley laughed softly. Don’t let her 
get up till I come,” he charged her. ^H’ll be 
in early.” And he turned away. 

Miss Lucy undressed Polly so gently that 
she did not awake. Then she sat by her side 
until broad daylight. The children were still 
asleep around her, when her name was whis- 
pered across the ward. 

134 


A Night of Song 


David was sitting up in bed, his face 
shadowed with fear. 

What's the matter with Polly?" he 
questioned. 

Miss Lucy told briefly the incident of the 
night, and he lay down again, but not to 
sleep. If the nurse so much as stirred, David 
was always looking her way. 

The ward was greatly excited at the news; 
but Miss Lucy had been true in her predic- 
tions. Never had such noiseless toilets been 
made within its walls. Everybody went 
about on tiptoe, and Leonora Hewitt would 
not walk at all, lest the thump of her crutch 
on the floor might waken Polly. 

The little girl was still asleep when Dr. 
Dudley came, but soon afterward she 
opened her eyes to find him at her side. Al- 
most her first words were an inquiry about 
Burton Leonard. 

^‘He is very much better," the Doctor re- 
plied. ^‘He wanted me to tell you not to 
worry about him to-day, for he would keep 
still without your singing. I didn’t know 
there was such good stuff in him. He has 
been angelic. Miss Price says, ever since he 
135 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


heard that you were tired out. That seemed 
to touch his little heart. He calls you ‘a 
dandy girl. ^ You have quite won himover.^^ 
glad/^ smiled Polly. “I guess I can 
sing a little for him to-day, if he needs me.^^ 

^ ‘ You wonT ! ’ ^ Dr. Dudley replied. ‘ ^ You 
are to stay in bed, Miss Polly May! When 
young ladies are out all night they must lie 
abed the next day.’^ 

^^All day long?” she queried. 

^^Yes.” 

Polly sighed a bit of a sigh; then she 
smiled again. 

may talk, may nT I?” she begged. 

Not many bedside receptions to-day,” he 
answered. “I want you to sleep all you can.” 

With a little chuckle she shut her eyes 
tight. ^‘Good-night!” -she said demurely. 

“That is a gentle hint for me to go,” the 
Doctor laughed. Then he bent for a whisper 
in her ear. “If you sleep enough to-day, I 
think we ’ll have a ride to-morrow.” 

She opened her eyes, returned a happy 
“thank you,” and then cuddled down on her 
pillow. 


CHAPTER X 


THE WARD^S ANNIVERSARY 

T he convalescent ward was generally a 
happy place, for everybody was get- 
ting well, and getting well is pleasant 
business. Just now it was at its best. The 
majority of the children had lived together 
long enough to be loyal friends, and there 
were no discordant dispositions. In fact, dis- 
cords knew better than to push in where 
Miss Lucy reigned. Her gentle tact had 
proved quite sufficient for any disagreeable 
element that had yet appeared in the ward, 
and lately all had been harmony. The nurse 
would have told you that this was greatly due 
to Polly May, and Polly would have insisted 
that it was entirely Miss Lucy’s work; but as 
long as happiness was there nobody cared 
whence it came. 

David Collins was a decided acquisition; 
the ward agreed in that. 

“He can tell stories almost as well as 

137 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Polly/ ^ declared Elsie Meyer to a knot of her 
chosen intimates. 

^‘Not (Jui-F^?^ objected loyal little Brida, 
glancing over her shoulder to make sure that 
they were far enough away from the ears of 
the boy under discussion. 

‘‘1 didn’t say quite/’ returned Elsie, in 
a lower voice, said almost. ’Course, 
nobody tells ’em so good as Polly — she ’s 
’special!” 

^‘But David is a dandy fine feller!” as- 
serted Cornelius. ^^He can play ball, reg’lar 
baseball! A college feller on a team showed 
him how!” 

Wisht I could play ball,” sighed Leonora 
Hewitt, a bit dejectedly. 

Girls don’t play baseball!” laughed Cor- 
nelius. 

^ ‘ They do some kinds anyway — I used to ! ” 
And again Leonora sighed. It is hard to 
be shut out from things when you are only 
ten. 

wouldn’t care, if I were you,” com- 
forted Elsie, in a way that showed her to be 
an unconscious pupil of her adored Polly. 
She threw an arm around the little girl who 
138 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


the Doctor feared would never walk again on 
two strong feet. There’s lots of things bet- 
ter than playing ball.” 

^^What?” demanded Cornelius, with more 
curiosity than thoughtfulness. 

Elsie flashed him a look that meant, How 
can you?” for Cornelius had been able to 
throw aside his own helps to walking. Then 
she answered triumphantly, ^‘Playing with 
dolls — for one thing!” 

Dolls I” echoed Cornelius, laughing. 
‘^Ho, ho! dolls!” 

^^Well, I don’t care, they are! Ain’t they. 
Miss Lucy?” 

‘^What is it, Elsie?” smiled the nurse 
across from her desk. ^‘1 was n’t noticing.” 

Dolls — ain’t dolls more fun than play- 
ing ball?” 

‘^That depends,” answered Miss Lucy. 

Cornelius or Moses would no doubt enjoy 
a game of ball better than the prettiest doll 
that ever was made; but you and Leonora 
and Corinne, for instance, would be unusual 
little girls if you did n’t like dolls best.” 

Elsie and Cornelius faced each other with 
good-natured laughter. 

139 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


“But I hain’t got any doll/^ lamented 
Leonora. 

“Nary a ball ! ” declared Cornelius, striking 
his breast dramatically. “ So we ^re even ! ’ ^ 

“My doll’s ’most worn out,” mourned 
Elsie. “Guess it will be quite by the time I 
get home, with Rosie and Esther bangin’ it 
round.” 

“I want my dolly! I want my dolly!” 
piped up little Isabel. “Where ’s my dolly? ” 

“Oh! may I get her the doll. Miss Lucy?” 
cried Elsie, running over to the chest of 
drawers where the ward’s few playthings were 
kept. 

Isabel trotted after, her face shining with 
expectation. 

Barely waiting for the desired permission, 
Elsie dived down into the lower drawer, and, 
after a brief search among torn picture-books 
and odds and ends of broken toys, brought 
forth a little battered rubber doll, which had 
lost most of its coloring and all of its cry. But 
Baby Isabel hugged it to her heart, and at 
once dropped to the floor, crooning over her 
new treasure. 

While the ward was thus discussing dolls, 
140 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


Mrs. Jocelyn and Polly, downstairs, in the 
little lady’s room, were conversing on the 
same subject. 

It was Polly’s first visit since the night she 
had sung to Burton Leonard, and they had 
talked of that and many other things. 

“It is too bad for you to be shut up in 
a hospital all this beautiful summer,” la- 
mented Mrs. Jocelyn. “If I were only well, 
I ’d carry you off home with me this very day, 
and we’d go driving out in the country, and 
have woodsy picnics, and all sorts of delight- 
ful things.” 

I went to ride yesterday with Dr. Dud- 
ley,” said Polly contentedly. 

“Yes, that’s all right as far as it goes; but 
your pleasures are too serious ones for the 
most part. You ought to be playing with 
dolls — without a care beyond them. By the 
way, I never have seen you with a doll 
yet.” 

“No, I haven’t any,” replied Polly 
sadly. 

“But you have them up in the ward, don’t 
you?” 

“There’s a little old rubber doll that 
141 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


somebody left because it had n^t any squeak 

— that^s all.” 

“For pity^s sake!” exclaimed the little 
lady. ^‘The idea! — not a single doll that 
can be called a doll ! I never heard anything 
like it! What do you play with? Or don^t 
you play at all?” 

“Oh, yes!” laughed Polly. “We play 
games, and Dr. Dudley has given me two 
story-books, and there are some toy soldiers 

— but they ’re ’most all broken now. Then 
there ’s a big book with pictures pasted in it 

— that’s nice! There was a Noah’s Ark; but 
a little boy threw Noah and nearly all the 
animals out of the window, and before we 
found them the rain spoiled some of them, 
and the rest were lost.” 

“I declare, it’s pitiful!” sorrowed the lit- 
tle lady. 

“Oh, we have a nice time!” smiled Polly. 
“I believe you’d find something to enjoy 
on a desert, without a soul within fifty 
miles!” laughed Mrs. Jocelyn. 

“Guess I’d be lonesome!” chuckled Polly. 
“But I always thought the sand would be 
lovely to play in,” 


142 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


There, I told you so! Oh, you^d have a 
good time! But, child, have nT you any doll 
of your own — at home, J mean?^^ 

“No, not now — I did have’^ — and pain 
crept into the sweet little face. “Mamma 
gave me a pretty doll the last Christmas — 
oh, I loved it so ! But after I went to live with 
Aunt Jane I helped her ^most all the time I 
was out of school, and I did n’t have much 
time to play with Phebe — she was named 
for mamma. Phebe was mamma’s name. So 
finally Aunt Jane said that Maude might 
just as well have my doll. I felt as if I could 
n’t give her up, but I had to — ” Polly’s lip 
quivered, and she swallowed hard. 

“Poor little girl!” Mrs. Jocelyn put out a 
hand and gently stroked the bright curls. 
“How could anybody be so cruel!” 

“I wouldn’t have cared — much, if 
Maude had loved Phebe; but she didn’t. 
She ’d swing her round by one leg, and pull 
her hair when she got mad, or — anything. 
It seemed as if I could n’t stand it!” 

“Bless you! I don’t see how you could!” 
sympathized her listener. 

“Why, I had to!” replied Polly simply. 

143 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘But one day — I never told anybody this, 
even Miss Lucy — one day Aunt Jane took 
the children to a circus, and I stayed home 
all alone. After they’d been gone about half 
an hour I went and dug as deep a hole as I 
could right in the middle of the clothes-yard 
— the woman upstairs was gone, too, so she 
could n’t see me — and I wrapped Phebe up 
in a clean piece of paper, after I’d kissed her 
and bid her good-bye — and then I buried 
her! It ’most killed me to do it; but I could 
n’t see any other way. Do you think it was 
dreadfully wicked?” 

Polly looked up with wet, appealing eyes, 
and, to her amazement, saw that tears were 
running down the little lady’s cheeks. 

^‘Wicked!” Mrs. Jocelyn ejaculated. “If 
nobody ever did anything more wicked than 
that it would be a blessed sort of world! No, 
dearest; I’m glad you were brave enough to 
do it — as glad as can be! But what did they 
say when they came home? Did n’t they 
miss the doll?” 

“Not that night; they were so excited 
about the circus. They never said a word 
till some time the next morning; then Maude 
144 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


wondered where Phebe was. I was dread- 
fully afraid they’d ask me if I knew; but 
Maude only looked for her a little while — 
she did n’t love her a bit. Aunt Jane told her 
she was probably kicking round somewhere, 
and it served her right for not taking better 
care of her. I guess they forgot all about her 
pretty soon; but I didn’t — I never shall 
forget Phebe!” 

Mrs. Jocelyn put her arm around Polly, 
and held her close, murmuring sympathetic 
words, which were very comforting to the 
bereft little mother. 

^^How did Phebe look?” asked Mrs. Joce- 
lyn, at last. ‘‘Do you want to tell me?” 

“Oh, yes! She had light curly hair, just 
like mine, and such pretty blue eyes and red 
cheeks! She was about so tall,” measuring a 
foot or more with her hands. “She had on a 
little white muslin dress, with blue sprigs on 
it — the other dresses Maude spoiled. She 
was just as sweet as she could be!” Polly’s 
eyes almost brimmed over, and the lady 
gently led her thoughts to other things. 

Soon Dr. Dudley came in, and then the 
little girl said good-bye. 

145 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


On the stairs she heard her name called, 
and looking back she saw Miss Hortensia 
Price, a bunch of sweet peas in her hand. 

“I was bringing these to you,^’ the nurse 
smiled. “ How do you do, my dear? Are you 
feeling quite well again? 

^^Oh, yes, thank you!^^ cried Polly, her 
little nose among the flowers. Doctor 
would n’t let me get up day before yester- 
day, and now I ’m so rested I don’t feel as 
if I’d ever get tired.” 

am very glad. I meant to come up to 
see you sooner, but I did n’t wish to disturb 
you that first day, and yesterday I was ex- 
tremely busy.” 

^‘Burton is not worse, is he?” asked Polly 
quickly. 

^‘Oh, no! he is doing even better than we 
anticipated. And at last he has decided to 
keep still — did Dr. Dudley tell you?” 

Yes,” beamed Polly, ^^and I’m so glad!” 

“We all are. He has been a hard child 
to manage. We have much to thank you 
for — I shall never forget what you have 
done!” 

Polly was so astonished at this praise that 
146 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


she could do nothing but blush and murmur 
a few words of dissent. 

''Burton's mother," Miss Price went on, 
"wishes you would come in some time and 
sing her that hymn again, the last one you 
sang, 'The King of Love my Shepherd is.'" 

"Oh," smiled Polly, "I wish she could 
hear David sing that! He sings it beauti- 
fully! I never heard it till that night, so I 
didn't know it very well; but if she could 
come up into the ward, I'm sure David 
would sing it for her." 

Miss Price seemed to ignore David alto- 
gether, for she only said : — 

" Polly May, if you can learn like that, with 
your sweet voice, — why, you must have a 
musical education! I shall speak to Dr. Dud- 
ley about it at once. But I'm keeping you 
standing here, child, and you not strong!" 

Polly assured her that she was not tired in 
the least, and thanked her again for the 
flowers. Then she ran upstairs, to tell the 
astonishing news to Miss Lucy and the ward, 
and to show her sweet peas in proof of Miss 
Hortensia Price's wonderful kindness. 

After everybody had had a sniff of the 
147 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


fragrant blossoms, Polly proposed moving a 
little table to the side of David^s cot, and 
placing the flowers on it. 

‘^Because,’’ she argued, ^4f David had n’t 
sung the hymn that night, I could n’t have, 
and if I had n’t, maybe Miss Price would n’t 
have given me the sweet peas ; so I think they 
belong to David as much as to me.” 

The children — all but David, and his 
protests went for naught — accepted Polly’s 
reasoning as perfectly logical, and readily 
helped carry out her suggestion. Miss Lucy 
smiled to herself, while she allowed them to 
do as they pleased. 

‘^Will they keep till to-morrow, s’pose?” 
questioned Elsie anxiously. 

“Of course,” answered Polly. “Why?” 

“’Cause they’ll help celebrate,” Elsie 
returned. 

“Celebrate what?” queried Polly, wiping 
a drop of overrunning water from the glass 
which Miss Lucy had supplied. 

“Why, the ward’s birthday! Don’t you 
know about it? ” And Elsie looked her aston- 
ishment at having heard any news with which 
Polly was not already acquainted. 

148 


The Ward^s Anniversary 

don't know what you mean," Polly 
replied. 

Then what a babel of tongues! Each 
wanted to be first to inform Polly. 

^‘The ward's five years old to-morrow!" 
— “Miss Lucy's been tellin' us!" — “It was 
started five years ago!" — “There was only 
three children in it then!" — “She said we 
ought to celebrate!" — “A lady give it to 
the hospital!" 

“We'll every one wear a sweet pea all 
day!" announced Polly. 

“That'll be lovely!" beamed Elsie. 

“They'll wilt," objected practical Moses. 

“Never mind!" returned Polly. “We can 
give 'em a drink once in a while." 

So it was agreed. Meantime Miss Lucy, 
at her table, textbook in hand, overheard 
and wished and planned. Downstairs, too, 
where Mrs. Jocelyn sat talking with Dr. Dud- 
ley, more planning was going on, and in the 
physician's own heart a little private scheme 
was brewing. Thus the ward's birthday 
came nearer and more near. 

The sweet peas were placed on a broad sill 
outside the window for the night, lest they 
149 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


might take it into their frail little heads to 
wither before their time. They showed their 
appreciation of Miss Lucy’s thoughtfulness 
by being as sweet and bright as possible, and 
early in the morning everybody in the ward 
wore a decoration. 

About ten o’clock Dr. Dudley appeared, 
and Polly and Elsie hurried to pin a posy in 
his buttonhole. Elsie had chosen a pink and 
Polly a blue blossom, and one little girl held 
them in place while the other pinned them 
fast, the Doctor sending telegraphic mes- 
sages over their heads to Miss Lucy. 

“Now, let me see,” he began, after he had 
returned thanks for his sweets; “think I can 
squeeze in seven or eight of them?” nodding 
to the nurse. 

“They’re none of them very bulky,” she 
laughed. 

“Feel strong enough for an auto ride, 
Elsie?” he twinkled. 

“Me?” gasped the little girl. “You don’t 
mean me, do you?” 

“If your name is Elsie Meyer, you’re the 
one,” he replied. 

“Oh, my! 0-h, m-y!” she cried. “Polly! 
150 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


Polly! He’s goin’ to take me to ride!” And 
she whirled Polly round and round in her 
excited joy. 

“Cornelius and Mosqs,” he counted, “and 
Elsie and Polly,” — his eyes had reached the 
little girl with a crutch, whose pale face was 
growing pink and paler by turns, — “and 
Leonora and Brida,” he went on; “that 
makes six.” 

“Oh, me too?” squealed Brida delight- 
edly, clutching her chair for support in the 
trying moment. 

Leonora said nothing, only gazed at the 
Doctor as if she feared he would vanish, to- 
gether with her promised ride, if she did not 
keep close watch. 

“There are only two more for whom I 
dare risk the bumpety-bumps,” laughed 
Dr. Dudley. “Corinne, I think you can 
bear them, and perhaps we can wedge in 
Isabel.” 

“Oh, we can hold her!” volunteered 
Elsie. 

“Sure, we can!” echoed Cornelius. 

“No, I want to thit in Polly’th lap,” 
lisped the midget, edging away from the 
151 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


others, and doing her best to climb to 
Polly’s arms. 

Polly clasped the tiny one tight, smiling 
her promise, too full of joy in her friends’ 
happiness for any words. 

‘‘I’ll give you fifteen minutes to prink 
up in,” the Doctor told them; and away 
they scampered, Polly halting by David’s 
cot long enough to wish he “were going 
too.” 

The eight were downstairs within the 
specified time, and they whirled off in the 
big motor car, which seated them all com- 
fortably without crowding anybody. Very 
demure they were, passing along the city 
streets, but in the open country their delight 
found vent in shouts and squeals and jubi- 
lant laughter. Dr. Dudley chose a route 
apart from the traveled highways, leading 
through woods and between blossoming 
fields. 

“Could we get out and pick just a few o’ 
those flowers?” Elsie ventured; and pre- 
sently they were all over the stone wall, 
Leonora with the rest, right down among the 
goldenrod and asters. 

152 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


They went home with their arms full of 
beauty, too overjoyed even to guess that 
they had been away nearly two whole hours, 
and that it was dinner time. 

Leonora was first to discover it — the 
beautiful copy of the Sistine Madonna, 
hanging opposite David^s bed. Then dinner 
had to wait, while they flocked over to look 
at Dr. Dudley’s gift to the ward. 

^^Why, it’s just like a story,” cried Elsie. 

Something keeps happening all the time.” 

Miss Lucy smiled mysteriously, which 
made Polly wonder if there were more hap- 
penings in reserve for the day. 

Dinner was barely cleared away when a 
rap sent Moses to the door. There stood one 
of the porters grinning behind a pyramid of 
white boxes tied with gay ribbons. 

Moses was too astonished for anything 
but speechlessly to let the man pass him. 
The pile was deposited beside the nurse, and 
Elsie squealed out : — 

^‘They look ’xac’ly like Christmas!” 

“Perhaps the inside will look like Christ- 
mas, too,” smiled Miss Lucy. “Let’s see 
what this card says: — 

153 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘For the young folks of the Convalescent 
Ward, in honor of the Ward’s fifth birthday. 
From Mrs. Juliet P. Jocelyn.” 

^‘This box is addressed to Miss Polly 
May;” and she handed out the one on 
top. 

Polly received it with an ^^Oh, thank 
you!” A sudden tumultuous hope had 
sprung in her heart, and she gazed down at 
the oblong box with mingled anticipation 
and fear. What could it be but — ! Yet what 
if it shouldn’t be! With trembling fingers 
she hurriedly untied the blue ribbon. She 
hardly dared lift the cover; but — it was! 

“Oh, Phebe!” she cried, with almost a 
sob, clasping the beautiful doll to her heart. 

It was not Phebe, but so nearly like the 
cherished one it was not surprising in that 
first |cstatic moment Polly should think it 
was really her lost darling. Golden curls, 
blue eyes, and a frock of white muslin with 
blue sprigs made the resemblance very true. 
In her own bliss, Polly, for a minute, forgot 
her surroundings. Then she became sud- 
denly aware that Elsie was dancing about, 
154 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


shrieking with delight, holding a doll the 
counterpart of Polly own, except for the 
color of dress and eyes. 

Bridals doll had blue eyes, like the new 
Phebe, and Leonora’s brown, like Elsie’s. 

Miss Lucy could not untie the boxes fast 
enough now, the children were so wildly ex- 
cited. Every girl had a beautiful doll, and 
every boy a gift that made him shout in glee 
or wrapped him in speechless joy, according 
to his nature. 

‘‘How did she know I’d ruther have ’em 
than anything in th’ biggest store you ever 
saw?” cried Cornelius, with a yell of rapture, 
throwing off the cover of his box to see a ball, 
a bat, and a catcher’s mitt. “How did she, 
did she know it?” 

The other big boys had similar presents 
and the younger lads mechanical toys of va- 
rious kinds, — Railway and Track, Steamer, 
Automobile, Fire Engine, and a real little 
Flying Machine. Besides these there were a 
number of fascinating games and a box of 
stone blocks. 

In the late afternoon some of the nurses 
made a brief visit, bringing their combined 
155 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


gift, — a dozen books and a shelf to keep 
them on. Miss Price, who could not leave 
her patient, sent a set of crayons and outline 
picture-books to color. And so one delight 
followed another until the children were in a 
state of the happiest excitement. 

Just before supper time Dr. Dudley came 
in, full of merriment and droll stories. 

The tea was there on time, a regular 
party tea,’’ with a birthday cake and five 
small candles. The goodies seemed ready to 
be eaten; the little folks were eager to taste; 
still Miss Lucy did not give the word. She 
and the Doctor would turn towards the door 
at the slightest sound; then they would go on 
talking again. Finally Polly’s sharp ears 
heard footsteps, approaching footsteps. Dr. 
Dudley listened, jumped up, and slipped out- 
side the door, shutting it behind him. The 
steps drew nearer, there were low voices and 
faint laughter. Then something like a small 
conmiotion seemed to be taking place just 
outside. Elsie’s impatience let loose her 
tongue. 

^‘Oh, Miss Lucy! what is it? Do tell us! 
Please do!” 


156 


The Ward^s Anniversary 


a minute there’ll be no need of tell- 
ing/’ was the smiling answer. 

At the instant a light rap sent Polly and 
Elsie flying to the door. Polly was ahead, 
and threw it wide open on a pretty picture, — 
little Mrs. Jocelyn seated in a wheel chair, 
Dr. Dudley and a porter in the background. 

^‘Oh, o-h!” cried Polly, ^‘how perfectly 
lovelicious!” And she stepped aside to let 
the guest roll herself in. 

Miss Lucy came forward with a glad 
greeting, while the flock of girls and boys 
retreated, struck with sudden shyness. 

Polly laid hold of Elsie and Leonora. 

Come ! ” she whispered. Come, and shake 
hands with her!” 

“No, no! I can’t!” gasped Leonora, terri- 
fied at thought of speaking to that beautiful 
little white-haired lady in the exquisite gray 
silk. 

“Yes, come!” urged Polly. “She gave us 
our dolls, and we must thank her!” Her 
hand on Leonora’s gave the timid girl cour- 
age, and she allowed herself to be led towards 
the wheel chair. 

They were all presented by name, and 

157 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Mrs. Jocelyn won the girls’ hearts with 
kisses and kindly words, while the boys, from 
Cornelius O’Shaughnessy to little John 
Fritz, were so charmed by her interest in 
their sports that they afterwards voted her 
‘^a dandy one” — their highest praise. 

The tea went off, as all party teas ought to 
go, to the music of merry laughter; and when 
the ice cream came on, the children’s glee 
reached its height — it was in the form of 
quaint little girls and boys! 

It was nearly bedtime when the last gift 
arrived. The parcel was oblong and flat and 
heavy. 

bet it’s another picture!” ventured 
Moses. 

Polly fairly shouted when Miss Lucy 
folded back the wrappings. There lay a 
superb photograph, handsomely framed in 
oak, of Lone Star and his master. This note 
accompanied it : — 

To the Children’s Convalescent Ward: 

Dear Ward: — News has just come that 
you are having a birthday. I congratulate 
you on having lived and prospered for five 
158 


The Ward's Anniversary 


long years. As I have counted only four 
birthdays myself, I have great respect for 
those that have attained to five. 

I cannot let the day pass without sending 
you a small token of neighborly affection, 
and because the hour is late and I have no- 
thing better in sight I trust you will pardon 
my seeming egotisih in presenting my own 
picture. 

With bushels of joyful wishes for your 
future, I will sign myself 

Your fast friend. 

Lone Star. 


CHAPTER XI 


POLLY PLAYS THE PART OF EVA 

S UMMER still lingered, but signs 
were abroad of her coming departure. 
Noons were hot, and nights were 
chill; bird carols were infrequent; chrysan- 
themums were unfurling their buds. The 
vines that festooned the windows of the child- 
ren's convalescent ward sent an occasional 
yellow-coated messenger to the lilac bushes 
below — a messenger that never came back. 

Inside the ward there were even greater 
changes. Of the old set of summer patients 
only a few remained to keep Polly company. 
Elsie and Brida, Corinne and Isabel, with 
Moses and Cornelius, had received their dis- 
charge and had returned to their homes. 
Leonora stayed for more of the treatment 
that was slowly lessening her lameness and 
her pain. David had so far recovered as to 
have been appointed office boy for Dr. Dud- 
ley, a position which was, according to Da- 
160 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


vid’s version, ^^all pay and no work.’^ But 
somebody was needed to answer telephone 
calls during the physician’s absence, as well 
as to note any messages that might arrive for 
him, and David’s strength was now sufficient 
for the service. So the arrangement was 
proving a very happy one, and was especially 
enjoyed by Polly and Leonora. 

As their acquaintances drifted away from 
the hospital, and strangers drifted in, these 
three became close friends. The girls would 
join David in the office, generally bringing 
their dolls with them, when David would be 
the one to tell or read a story, for his aunt 
kept him well supplied with interesting tales. 
Sometimes, especially in the early twilight 
hour. Dr. Dudley was story-teller; or more 
often they would talk over together the hap- 
penings of the day) the children uncon- 
sciously gathering from the physician’s rich 
store bits of wisdom that would abide with 
them as long as memory lived. 

They were watching for him, one night, 
when the telephone bell rang. 

David sprang to answer the call, and the 
girls heard him say : — 

161 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘No, sir, he is not in. — He went out 
about an hour ago. — We expect him every 
minute now. — Yes, sir, I will.’^ 

The boy came back looking a little 
excited. 

“It was Uncle David! he told them. “He 
says he is sick, and he wants Dr. Dudley to 
come over.^^ 

“Oh, dear,^^ scowled Polly; “I hope there 
is nT anything bad the matter with him!^^ 

“It is the first time I ever spoke to him/’ 
said David slowly. “But, of course, he 
did n’t know it was I that was talking.” 

“There’s the Doctor!” cried Leonora, as a 
runabout stopped at the entrance. 

“Shall I go tell him?” and Polly started. 

But the lad was already on his way. 

“Let me, please!” he answered. “I want 
to do that much for Uncle David.” 

“I thought it might tire him to go fast,” 
murmured Polly, apologetically, as she 
joined Leonora at the window. 

“He’ll get all out of breath!” worried 
Leonora. “Just see him run!” 

“He is n’t thinking of himself,” Polly re- 
sponded. “It’s just like him! But his heart 
162 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


is pretty strong now, I guess. Though Doc- 
tor told him to be careful.^ ^ 

David returned a little pale, and Polly 
made him lie down on the couch. 

He did not seem inclined to talk, and the 
girls waited at the window, conversing in low 
tones over their dolls. By and by Dr. Dud- 
ley came up the walk, and Polly ran to open 
the door for him. 

The physician acknowledged the attention 
with a grave smile, and then went directly to 
the telephone, calling for Miss Batterson. 

David sat up. The girls listened breath- 
lessly. 

Presently they heard arrangements being 
made for the nurse to go to the Colonel at 
once, and they gathered from what was said 
that David’s great-uncle was ill with typhoid 
fever, and that the Doctor had ordered him 
to bed. 

‘^He has kept up too long,” regretted Dr. 
Dudley, as he hung the receiver on its hook. 
^^As it is he’ll have to go through a course of 
fever. He is furious at the prospect, but it 
can’t be helped.” 

^H’m so sorry,” mourned Polly. 

163 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Then, seeing that there was no likelihood 
of a story or even talk from the Doctor, she 
proposed, softly to Leonora, that they go 
upstairs. 

^^No, stay here with David, if you wish; 
you Te not in the way. I ’m going back with 
Miss Batterson.^^ 

So they remained, while the physician put 
some medicines in his case, and gave David 
directions regarding a probable caller. 

Soon the nurse came in, suit case in hand, 
and the two went off together. 

‘‘I hope mother won’t hear of it right 
away,” the lad mused. She thinks so much 
of Uncle David. She’d want to go and do 
something for him, you know, and she 
could n’t, and so she’d worry.” 

Polly recalled her recent drive through 
Forest Park, and could scarcely realize that 
the big, strong man who had made the time 
so pleasant for her was now weak and miser- 
able from disease. 

David related incidents of his mother’s 
life with her uncle when she was a small girl, 
one leading to another, until, suddenly. Dr. 
Dudley opened the door. 

164 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


‘^What!^^ he exclaimed. My girlies not 
abed yet! Why, it is nearly nine o'clock! 
Miss Lucy will think I have kidnaped 
you." 

They hurried away, with laughing good- 
nights, after being assured by the Doctor 
that probably Colonel Gresham would 
^^come out all right." 

David slept downstairs now, in a tiny 
room adjoining the physician's, and his last 
thought that night was of the strangeness of 
it all — Uncle David's hurrying to catch Dr. 
Dudley for him, and his being the first to 
notify the Doctor of his uncle's illness, while 
they had not even a bowing acquaintance 
with each other! 

For a few days there was no alarming 
change in Colonel Gresham's condition. 
Then he grew worse. He became delirious, 
and remained so, recognizing no one. The 
anxiety felt in Dr. Dudley's office extended 
upstairs to the little people of the convales- 
cent ward, for since the Colonel's birthday 
gift they had taken great interest in the mas- 
ter of the famous trotter. Every morning 
they were eager for the latest news from the 
165 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


second house away where their friend lay so 
ill. 

The twentieth of September was hot and op- 
pressive. Early in the evening thunder clouds 
heaped the western sky, and occasional flashes 
of lightning portended a shower. 

After the children were established for the 
night, Miss Lucy sat long by the open win- 
dow watching the electrical display. The 
clouds rose slowly, lingering beyond the 
western hills with no wind to aid their pro- 
gress. Finally she partly undressed, and 
throwing on a kimono settled herself com- 
fortably upon her cot, to await the uncertain 
storm, ready to shut the windows in case of 
driving rain. By and by fitful breezes flut- 
tered through the room, the low rumbling 
of thunder was heard, and presently a soft 
patter of drops on the leaves. The lightning 
grew brilliant. The nurse dreamed and 
waked by turns. At length she was aroused 
by steps along the corridor. They sounded 
like Dr. Dudley’s. She was at the door as the 
physician’s knuckle touched it. In response 
to his voice she stepped outside, that they 
might not disturb the sleepers. 

166 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


want to take Polly over to Colonel 
Gresham’s,” the Doctor explained. ^^He 
keeps on calling for ^Eva,’ and nothing will 
quiet him. He is on the verge of collapse.” 

‘‘Did n’t Mrs. Collins come?” 

“Yes; but he didn’t know her. It broke 
her all up. I think now that he has gone back 
to the time when she was a little girl, and 
possibly has confounded her with Polly. At 
any rate, I ’m going to try the experiment of 
taking Polly over. It can do no harm, and 
may do some good.” 

The hall suddenly burst into light, and 
there was a simultaneous roar of thunder. 

“We’re going to have a shower,” observed 
the Doctor. 

“I should think it was already here,” re- 
turned Miss Lucy. “ Had n’t you better wait 
till it passes, before taking Polly out?” 

“Oh, no! Wrap her up well, and I’ll carry 
her. It is only a few steps; she won’t get 
wet.” 

Polly was a quaint little figure in the long 
mackintosh, and it tripped her feet once or 
twice, until the Doctor drew it from her and 
threw it across his arm. 

167 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


The thunder had been lighter for some 
minutes; but as they halted at the entrance 
before going out a tremendous crash jarred 
the building. 

‘^Not afraid, Thistledown?^^ smiled Dr. 
Dudley, as he wrapped her again in the long 
cloak. 

^‘1 donT like it,’^ she confessed; ^‘but I 
shanT mind with you,^^ putting her arms 
around his neck. 

The rain was pouring as they left the 
piazza, and before they were off the grounds 
big stones of hail were pelting their um- 
brella. The Doctor hurried along, the light- 
ning glaring about them and the air filled 
with thunder. 

Colonel Gresham’s house was nearly 
reached, when a sudden gust turned the um- 
brella, and almost at once came a blaze of 
light and a terrific crash — a great oak 
across the street had been split from top to 
root! 

With a gasp of terror Polly clung to the 
Doctor’s neck, and he sped up the walk on a 
quick run. 

There!” he exclaimed, setting her down 
168 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


inside the door, ^‘you^re safe and sound! 
But next time we’ll take Miss Lucy’s advice, 
and not run any such risks.” 

‘^It was awful, wasn’t it?” breathed 
Polly. 

little too close for comfort,” he 
smiled, taking her wet coat and spreading it 
over a chair. 

At the foot of the stairs he halted for a few 
instructions. 

Humor the Colonel in every way pos- 
sible,” he told Polly. “If he names you 
‘Eva,’ let him think he is right, and call him 
‘Uncle David.’” 

“I’m afraid I shall make a mistake,” re- 
plied Polly. 

“You won’t,” he assured her. “Just im- 
agine you are his little niece, doing every- 
thing to please him — that is all.” 

Miss Batterson smiled down on Polly, as 
she entered the sick-room, and spoke in a 
low voice to the physician. 

Colonel Gresham had been muttering in- 
distinctly, and now broke into his persistent 
call : — 

“Eva! Eva! Where’s Eva?” 

169 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Dr. Dudley gave Polly a gentle push 
towards the bed. 

^^Here I am, Uncle David!” she answered, 
standing where the light slanted across her 
yellow curls. 

The sick man started up, and then 
dropped back on his pillow. 

^‘Oh, youVe come!” he cried, with a 
breath of relief. “Why did you stay away — 
so — long?” 

“I did n’t know you wanted me till now. 
Uncle David,” replied the soft voice. 

“Come nearer, child! Let me feel your 
little hand! I dreamed — I dreamed — you 
were gone — forever!” 

He lay quiet for a moment, her cool fingers 
in his hot, trembling palm. Then he startled 
her by the sudden cry : — 

“That water! It’s dripping, dripping 
right on my head! Eva, put up your hand, 
and catch it!” 

Standing beside his pillow, Polly held her 
hand high. 

“I’ll catch it all. Uncle David,” she 
assured him. “You shan’t feel another 
drop!” 


170 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


‘^That’s a good girl! You always are a 
good girl, Eva! Seems as — if — ” 

The voice trailed off into confused mutter- 
ings, and with trembling fingers he began pick- 
ing at the sheet and working it into tiny rolls. 

Very gently Polly took one of the restless 
hands in both her own, and smoothed it 
tenderly. 

This had a quieting effect, and he lay still 
for so long that Dr. Dudley drew Polly softly 
away, letting her rest on his knee, her head 
against his shoulder. 

But in a moment the old call burst out : — 

‘‘Eva! Eva! Where are you, Eva?^^ 

Her prompt assurance, “I'm right here. 
Uncle David!" hushed him at once. Pre- 
sently, however, he began again. 

“Eva! Eva! You love your old uncle, 
don't you, Eva? Just a — little — bit?" 

“More than a little bit! I love you dearly. 
Uncle David!" 

“ Don't go away any more ! Promise, Eva ! 
Promise me!" 

“I'll stay just as long as you want me. 
Uncle David. Can't you go to sleep? Re- 
member, I'll be right here all the time!" 

171 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Reassured by this, he closed his eyes, and 
was quiet for a while; yet only to rouse again 
and repeat the same old cry. 

The thunder was now only an occasional 
rumble in the distance, and the lightning had 
faded to a glimmer; but the rain still kept on, 
and as the nurse raised another window the 
ceaseless patter of the drops seemed to dis- 
turb the sick man, for he began his com- 
plaint of the dripping water upon his head. 

Polly pacified him, as before, and once 
more he drowsed. 

The little girl slept, too, in the Doctor^s 
arms, until, towards morning the Colonel 
was resting so calmly that they returned 
to the hospital. 

Miss Lucy clasped Polly with almost a 
sob. 

^‘If you ever go away again in such a 
storm,^’ she declared, shall go, too! I saw 
the lightning come down — and — ” her 
voice broke. 

“And we were not harmed in the least,” 
finished the Doctor cheerily. “But next 
time I promise to act upon your higher wis- 
dom, and not venture among such thunder- 
172 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


bolts. Now, hustle into bed, both of you, 
and don^t dare to wake up till breakfast 
time!’^ 

The convalescent ward slept late; the 
nurse and Polly strictly obeyed orders. No- 
body cared, however, and unusual gayety 
prevailed at the tardy breakfast, to match 
the bright September morning and the good 
news of Colonel Gresham. For word had 
come up from Dr. Dudley that the Colonel 
was going to get well. 

Of course the children eagerly heard the 
story of Polly^s midnight trip in the physi- 
cian’s arms through the fearful storm. It 
had to be told over and over again, and the 
more daring ones wished they had been awake 
to see it all. 

The details of what had taken place in the 
sick-room Polly wisely withheld; but the 
girls and boys were undoubtedly more inter- 
ested in the account of the lightning’s strik- 
ing the familiar big oak tree than they would 
have been in the more important part of that 
night’s strange story. 

It was not many weeks afterward that Dr. 
Dudley brought Polly a message. 

173 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


‘^The Colonel says he feels slighted be- 
cause you don^t come to see him, and I pro- 
mised to send you over.^^ 

^‘Oh, I shall love to go!” cried Polly. 
^^I’ll run right off and change my dress.” 

Colonel Gresham was in a great chair by 
the window, and begged his small guest^s 
pardon for not rising to greet her. 

“I’m not quite firm on my legs yet,” he 
laughed, “and I mustn’t topple over, as 
MissBatterson has left me for a whole hour.” 

“Oh, then I’ll stay and wait on you!” 
beamed Polly. “And if you get tired hearing 
me talk, you can go to sleep.” 

But the Colonel seemed very wide awake, 
and after a gay chat he began : — 

“Dr. Dudley has been telling me about 
bringing you over here in that thunder- 
storm, and how you quieted me when no- 
body else could.” 

“Yes,” replied Polly innocently, “you 
thought I was your little niece, Eva, and — ” 

“What? ” broke in her listener, amazement 
in his tone. 

“Oh, I s’posed he’d told you!” cried 
Polly, in dismay. “I ought not to have — ” 
174 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


'‘Yes, you ought!^' he interrupted. "What 
did I say?’^ 

Polly hesitated. She was not at all sure 
that Dr. Dudley would wish her to disclose 
the wanderings of the Colonel’s mind, since 
he had not done so himself. But there 
seemed no other way, so she replied sim- 

ply: — 

"Oh, you didn’t say much! Only you 
kept calling for Eva, and so I pretended I 
was she, and I called you Uncle David. And 
you heard the rain, and thought it was drip- 
ping on your head, and you wanted me to 
hold my hand up to catch it. That was about 
all.” 

Polly cast furtive glances at the Colonel. 
She could make nothing of his face, beyond 
that it was very grave. She wondered if he 
were displeased with her. 

After a time he spoke. 

"You have done me a kindness that can 
never be repaid. Such debts cannot be bal- 
anced with money. So we won’t talk about 
pay. But I should like to do something for 
you — give you a sort of remembrance. I 
don’t know what would make you happiest; 
175 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


but you may chose, ^ to the half of my king- 
dom^ — anything but Lone Sto. I^m afraid 
I should hate to give up; Lone 

Polly laughed, and th'e“‘^lonel laughed 
too, which put the talk on a cheery footing, 
and she assured him that she should n^t have 
chosen Lone Star anyway, because she did 
n^t know how to take care of a horse, and 
had n^t any place to keep him in. 

Then her face grew suddenly serious, and 
she sat gazing at the pattern of the rug so 
long that Colonel Gresham smiled to himself. 

^‘Is it too much of a problem?’’ he finally 
asked. “Can’t you think of anything within 
my power that would give you a little hap- 
piness?” 

“Oh, yes ! ’ ’ Polly answered quickly ; ^ ‘ but 
I’m afraid — ” she stopped. 

“Afraid of what?” he questioned. 

“Afraid it is too much to ask,” she replied 
softly, lifting her thoughtful eyes to his. 

“No, it is n’t! Anything that will add to 
your happiness — ” 

“Oh, this would make me very happy!” 

“Out with it then! ‘To the half of my 
kingdom,’ remember!” 

176 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


*^And you won^t be offended?’’ 

“I give you my word,” he smiled. 

‘^Well,” she began slowly, ‘‘I should like 
best of all to have you — oh, I wish you 
would forgive David’s mother, and love her 
again! She loves you so much!” 

For several minutes — it seemed an hour 
to Polly — the marble clock over the fire- 
place, with the bronze mother and child sit- 
ting there, tick-tocked its way uninterrupt- 
edly. The little girl did not dare to look up. 
Her heart beat very fast indeed. It hurt her 
to breathe. Had she made Colonel Gresham 
so angry that he would never speak to her 
again? She wondered how long it would be 
before she could gain enough courage for just 
one glance at his face. Then he spoke. 

‘^You have given me a hard task, little 
Polly! It would be easier to go through the 
fever again!” His voice was gentle — very 
gentle, but sad. 

^^Oh, please, please excuse me!” she ex- 
claimed earnestly. '‘I ought not to have 
asked it! I’ll take it all back! You said 
what would make me happiest — and so — 
and so — ” She put her face down in her 
177 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


hands. /‘I did n’t mean to hurt you!” she 
sobbed, did n’t! I did n’t!” 

Child! child! this will never do! It is I 
who am wholly to blame! You have done 
nothing to excuse. I shall keep my promise 
to you, if you are sure that what you have 
asked will give you the greatest happiness.” 

He waited for her answer — Polly never 
guessed with what selfish longing. 

Her face burst into radiance. 

^^Oh, will you!” she exclaimed. “It will 
make me so happy, happy, I shan’t know 
what to do!” 

Colonel Gresham was very pale, but Polly 
did not notice. She was looking through 
rose-colored glasses. 

“Is David still at the hospital?” the 
Colonel inquired. 

“Yes, sir; he stays in Dr. Dudley’s office 
now, to answer the telephone and attend to 
things. He ’s almost well.” 

“Well enough to walk over here, think?” 

“Oh, yes, sir!” Polly beamed. 

“Suppose you run and fetch him then. 
Say to him that I should like to make his 
acquaintance.” 


178 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


Polly needed no urging for such a bliss- 
ful errand, and in her excitement failed to 
hear the Doctor^s approaching footsteps. 
At the threshold she nearly ran into his 
arms. 

^^Why such haste, Thistledown? Have 
you and Colonel Gresham quarreled?^’ 

“Oh, no! I^m going after David. Do you 
care if he leaves the office for just a little 
while?’’ 

“Certainly not. Tell him from me that 
he can come.” 

If the Doctor felt any surprise, neither his 
voice nor his face showed it. 

It cost Polly a deal of talk to convince 
David that his uncle had actually sent for 
him, and then, after he had said that he 
would go, he was afraid that his clothes were 
not just right for such a visit. 

“Never mind your clothes!” cried Polly. 
“He’ll never know what you have on.” 

“Well, I must brush my hair,” delayed the 
boy, dreading the ordeal before him. 

“Oh, your hair’s well enough! Don’t flat 
it down! It’s so pretty as it is now — all 
curly and fluffy!” 


179 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


So they were finally started, Polly talking 
so fast that David had small chance for ner- 
vousness or fear. 

Dr. Dudley was not in sight when the child- 
ren entered Colonel Gresham’s room, and 
Polly made a silent wild guess regarding his 
speedy going away. To David’s pleasure the 
Coloiiel received him as he would have re- 
ceived any other lad whom Polly had brought 
for a call. There was no reference to his mo- 
ther or to their kinship, and the boy began 
at once to feel at ease. He inquired about 
his recent injury and his stay at the hospi- 
tal, and then, by a chance remark of Polly’s, 
the subject of David’s church singing was 
brought up. 

Conversation had not begun to flag, when 
Polly spied the Doctor’s auto at the curb. 
Mrs. Collins was stepping out! 

David’s sentence broke off square in the 
middle; but Colonel Gresham did not ap- 
pear to notice. Footsteps neared the door, 
and the children sat breathless; yet the 
Colonel still talked on as quietly as be- 
fore. 

When the door opened, Polly saw his fin- 
180 


Polly plays the Part of Eva 


gers grip the arms of his chair. His voice 
faltered off into silence. 

Dr. Dudley stepped aside, and David^s 
mother appeared on the threshold, a little 
slight, fair-haired woman, her face now 
pink with emotion, her eyes big and shin- 
ing. 

The Colonel held out both hands; there 
was a swish of skirts and something like a 
sob. 

Polly heard, ^^Eva!’^ — ^^Oh, Uncle Da- 
vid Then she slipped out to the Doctor, 
and he softly shut the door. 

They went downstairs hand in hand, and 
so to the street. 

We ’ll have a little ride,” he proposed, 
‘Ho let off steam. There are n’t any patients 
that will hurt by waiting.” 

The car passed slowly up the pleasant 
street. 

“Thistledown,” he said tenderly, “you 
have accomplished a blessed work this 
morning.” 

“Why,” exclaimed Polly, in surprise, “I 
have n’t done a single thing — only go after 
David! It’s the Colonel that’s done it all! 

181 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


But is n^t it splendid of him? Are n^t you 
glad for David? 

am glad for them all. It is what I 
feared never would come to pass. Colonel 
Gresham is sure to like David, and it is going 
to mean everything for the boy.’^ 


CHAPTER XII 


THE KIDNAPING OF POLLY 

M amma and I are going to live with 
Uncle David/’ So the boy told 
Polly late that afternoon. He says 
he has lost time enough, and now we must 
come as soon as we can pack up.” 

“Isn’t that splendid!” beamed Polly, 
thinking she had never seen David look so 
happy or so handsome. 

“Uncle David is nicer — a great deal 
nicer — than I dreamed he could be. O 
Polly," I can’t thank you enough!” 

“Thank me?” repeated Polly. “What 
for?” 

“Polly May!” and David gazed at her in- 
credulously. Then he laughed. 

“Oh, you little bunch of unselfishness!” he 
cried. “I believe you have n’t the least idea 
that Uncle David’s making up with us is all 
your doing!” 

“Why, David Collins, it is n’t! I just told 
183 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


him it would make me happy if he would — 
that’s all!” 

“Just as I said!” he laughed. “0 Polly, 
Polly! don’t you see — no, no, I’d rather you 
would n’t! Don’t try to see!” 

“I couldn’t!” chuckled Polly. “There 
is n’t anything to see!” 

“All right! It’s grand anyway! Mamma 
looks so much prettier and younger ! Oh, you 
can’t think how happy — ” 

The telephone cut off his sentence, and he 
ran across the office. 

He listened a moment; then Polly heard 
him say, “She is right here. If you’ll wait, 
please. I’ll ask her.” 

David turned from the instrument. “It is 
Mrs. Jocelyn,” he explained. “She wants 
you to come up there to-morrow afternoon, 
and stay all night and next day. Her cou- 
sin’s little girl — Dorothy Cannon, I think 
the name is — will be there, and she wants 
you too.” 

“Oh, of course I’ll go!” and Polly’s eyes 
shone: “that is, if Miss Lucy or Dr. Dud- 
ley don’t need me for anything, and I don’t 
suppose they will. Tell her I ’ll come, unless 
184 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


they do. Oh, and, David,^’ — for he had 
taken up the receiver again, — ^^ask her 
what time she wants me, please!” 

He gave the message, and then turned 
back to Polly. 

‘‘She says to come as early as you can 
after dinner. Dear me, it will be awfully 
lonesome without you!” 

“It will, won’t it?” Polly’s face sobered. 
“But then,” she brightened, “you’ll have to 
be home helping your mother pack up, 
shan’t you?” 

“ So I shall,” he returned. “And it will be 
a good time for you to go. Ever hear of this 
Dorothy before?” 

“Oh, yes! Mrs. Jocelyn has told me 
lots about her. I guess she’s nice. She’s 
twelve.” 

“You’ll have a fine time, and I’ll try to be 
glad you’re going,” laughed David. 

Polly danced off to tell Miss Lucy and 
Leonora of her invitation, waving a gay 
good-bye to David from the doorway. She 
had made several visits of a day to Mrs. 
Jocelyn, who had left the hospital some 
weeks before; but she had never remained 
185 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


overnight. And to see the Dorothy Cannon 
of whom she had heard so many happy 
things! She went upstairs on tiptoe of anti- 
cipation. 

Miss Lucy was pleased, and Leonora tried 
to be. Polly saw through her forced smiles, 
however, and proposed all the pleasant 
make-ups she could think of. 

^^You can take care of Phebe while I’m 
gone, and play she’s twin sister to your 
Juliet” (Leonora had named her doll after 
its donor), ^^and you may take the book 
Burton Leonard sent me. We have n’t read 
more than half the stories in it yet.” 

Leonora was beaming her thanks and her 
delight, when Miss Lucy declared that she 
should depend on her to help entertain the 
ward, and that made her look so joyful, 
Polly knew there would be little lonesome- 
ness for the lame girl. 

When Dr. Dudley heard that Polly was 
going, he promised to carry her in his auto- 
mobile, for it was a long walk to Mrs. Joce- 
lyn’s home. 

'‘Then I shall have you to myself a little 
longer than the rest of them,” he twinkled. 

186 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


Anybody ’d think I was n^t ever coming 
back!^’ laughed Polly. 

^^Oh, don’t say so!” shivered Leonora. 
‘^Talk about what you’re going to wear!” 

^‘All right!” Polly agreed. ‘‘Miss Lucy 
and I have got it all planned. I shall wear my 
best white dress, if it is as warm as it is to- 
day, and take my white sweater with me, so 
I’ll have it if it comes off cold. And I’m 
going to wear my beautiful locket and chain 
that Mrs. Leonard gave me, and my new- 
est blue hair ribbon, and my best ties, and 
my best hat.” 

“Dear me,” mused Dr. Dudley gravely, 
“I did n’t know I should have to sit beside 
so fine a young lady as that! I wonder if I 
must put on my dress suit.” 

Polly giggled, and Leonora squealed, and 
they were not sobered down when tfiey bade 
the Doctor good-night. 

“ Is n’t he nice? ” admired the lame girl, as 
they went slowly upstairs, hand in hand. 

“He’s the very nicest man in the whole 
world ! ” asserted Polly, and her nodding curls 
emphasized her praise. 

Dressing came directly after dinner, and 

187 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Polly had the eager assistance of every girl 
in the ward that was able to be about on two 
feet. 

Angiola Cuneo fetched the pretty black 
ties, and Mabel Camp the long stockings. 
Frederica Schmelzer held the box containing 
the hair ribbon of delicate blue while Miss 
Lucy brushed the fluffy curls into smooth- 
ness. Stella Pope, greatly puffed up by the 
importance of her errand, went to Miss 
Lucy’s own room, and brought back the 
dainty white frock, all spotless from the 
laundry. But Leonora’s was the crowning 
service of all. With trembling fingers she 
clasped around Polly’s white neck the 
exquisite little gold chain, with its pend- 
ent locket, which had been Mrs. Leonard’s 
farewell gift when Burton left the hos- 
pital. 

“There,” she whispered delightedly, pat- 
ting Polly’s shoulder, “you look too sweet 
for anything!” 

Polly dimpled and blushed, but only 
said: — 

“I wish you were going, too!” 

“Oh my!” gasped Leonora; “I should n’t 
188 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


know how to act or what to say ! I guess I ’d 
rather stay with Miss Lucy.” 

The nurse, gathering up some of Polly’s 
tossed-off belongings, smiled comfortably to 
herself, overhearing Leonora’s words. She 
rarely had so much as to hint a reproof to 
Polly for any breach of courtesy; the child 
seemed instinctively to know what was due 
to others. She could be trusted anywhere 
without a fear. 

The auto was waiting at the curb, Dr. Dud- 
ley and Polly were on their way from office 
to entrance, when there came a hurried call 
for the Doctor from one of his patients in a 
private ward. 

^‘That’s too bad!” he ejaculated. wish 
she had put off her attack an hour. Now 
you ’ll have to walk — or wait, and it is un- 
certain how soon I shall be at liberty.” 

^^Oh, I don’t mind walking!” smiled 
Polly. 

^‘Well, here’s for a good time. Thistle- 
down!” And the Doctor kissed her on both 
cheeks. 

She watched him up the stairs, and then 
went out alone. 


189 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


wish I could have had the ride with 
him,” she sighed, as she passed the inviting 
auto; ^‘but it^s a lovely day for a walk,” 
she added. shall be there before I know 
it.” 

She waved her hand to Miss Lucy and the 
children, up at the window, who looked as- 
tonished to see her walking. Laughing at 
their surprise, she flourished her sweater and 
the little bundle containing her nightgown. 
Then shrubbery hid them from view. As she 
went by Colonel Gresham’s, she wondered 
how soon David would be living there. To- 
day he was at home, helping his mother, as 
she had predicted he might be. 

A full third of the distance was passed, 
when, turning a corner, she met a tall wo- 
man in a brown skirt and white waist. 

— ,” she gasped; ^‘Aunt Jane!” 

The woman gave a short laugh. 

“You didn’t expect to see me; did you? 
Where you bound for, all rigged out so fine? ” 

“I’m going to Mrs. Joceljm’s,” Polly an- 
swered faintly. 

“What! that rich Mrs. Jocelyn?” 

“I guess so.” 


190 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


Where does she live?’^ 
on Edgewood Avenue/’ 

^^Yes, that’s the one,” nodded the other. 
^^You are cornin’ on! I s’pose you don’t go 
to see anybody but millionaires now ’days! 
You hain’t been down to my house in an 
age.” 

^^Mrs. Jocelyn was at the hospital,” Polly 
explained, ^^and she’s invited me up to stay 
all night, because her cousin’s coming.” 

“Well, I was on my way to see you and 
take you home with me. Glad you happened 
along, for it will save my climbin’ that hill. 
Here I am slavin’ myself to death, and 
you’re kitin’ off hither and yon just to have a 
good time. I thought you was goin’ to help 
’em out at the hospital.” 

“I do help all I can,” Polly put in meekly. 

“Looks like it! Well, come on! I’ve got a 
pile o’ work waitin’ for me at home. Much as 
ever I could get away anyhow.” 

Polly stepped forward, and the two walked 
along together. 

“I thought you’d come over and see your 
new uncle, even if you did n’t care anything 
about me and your cousins.” 

191 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


“My new uncle?’’ repeated Polly, looking 
puzzled. 

The woman laughed. “Didn’t you hear 
I’d got married again?” she asked. 

“Why, no!” cried Polly. 

“I was married three weeks ago to-day,” 
was the proud announcement. “He’s got a 
good job at the Silver Plate, and I’m takin’ 
work from the button fact’ry; so we’re git- 
tin’ on. We’ve moved over on Chestnut 
Street — got a flat now. The kids think it ’s 
fine.” 

“I’m glad. Aunt Jane,” Polly managed to 
say, just as she reached the street which led 
out in the direction of Edgewood Avenue. “ I 
have to go this way.” She stepped back to 
allow her aunt to pass on. 

“Well, I guess not much!” and the child’s 
arm was gripped by a strong hand. “You ’re 
goin’ home with me — that’s what!” 

“Oh, not to-day!” cried Polly, in sudden 
terror. “I can’t. Aunt Jane! I’ve promised 
to go up to Mrs. Jocelyn’s!” 

“That don’t make any difference! You 
can go up there some other time — or you 
can stay away, just as I choose to have you! 

192 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


Now, you need n’t go to cry in’ and makin’ a 
fuss!” for Polly’s lip was quivering. 
guess you know me well enough to know 
that when I set out to do a thing I do it, 
and this afternoon I said I was goin’ to 
fetch you home, and I expect to keep my 
word.” 

A wild thought of flight swept through 
Polly’s mind; but she at once realized how 
futile would be an attempt to run away. 
Her arm was still held as in a vise, and she 
was being led along an unfamiliar street. 
Aunt Jane nodded now and then to people 
they met, and could quickly call any num- 
ber to her assistance. Polly decided that 
this was no time for escape. 

“Where ’d you get that locket and chain? ” 
her captor queried. 

“They were a present from Mrs. Leon- 
ard.” 

“What Mis’ Leonard?” 

“I don’t know. Her little boy was sick at 
the hospital, and I sung — ” 

“Oh, that one! Mis’ Marvin Leonard it 
is. Well, they’d ought to given you some 
money, too — they’ve got enough. I read in 
193 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


the paper about your singin’ — and faintin^ 
away/^ 

^‘In the newspaper? Polly’s face showed 
her astonishment. 

“Sure! Didn’t you know it? I should 
think some o’ them doctors or nurses might 
have let you see the piece. And they ’d ought 
to had your picture taken to go along with 
it.” 

“Oh, no!” breathed Polly shrinkingly. 

“Huh! you’re a great kid! Folks round 
here thought it was a pretty smart thing. 
You hain’t no call to be ashamed of it.” 

The little girl attempted no reply. She 
felt that Aunt Jane would not understand. 

Arrived on the fourth floor of the big 
tenement house, Polly was at once called 
upon to praise the new quarters. 

“Ain’t this more swell than that old- 
fashioned rent on Brewery Street?” 

“Yes, I guess it is,” was the rather doubt- 
ful response, for Polly, in her swift survey of 
the narrow, gaudy parlor, discerned little to 
admire. 

“I s’pose it ain’t much compared to the 
elegance of your millionaire friends,” Aunt 
194 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


Jane flung out, nettled at the child^s lack of 
approval. 

^^Mrs. Jocelyn’s furniture is very plain — 
if you mean her,” replied Polly gently. 

Well, come in here and put your things,” 
leading the way to a little dim bedroom, 
lighted only from the apartment in front. 

Better take off that white dress, and keep it 
clean; I’ll get you one of Sophia’s to wear 
till I can send for your clothes.” 

Slowly and sadly Polly laid aside her hat, 
and began to unbutton her dainty frock. 
Tears welled up in her eyes, at thoughts of 
Miss Lucy; but with a mighty effort she 
winked them back. 

There! — try that, and see how it fits.” 

Aunt Jane had emerged from the depths 
of a dark closet, and now tossed a limp calico 
print towards Polly. 

The child could discern soiled patches on 
front and sleeves, and she revolted against 
the unclean garment; but silently she put it 
on. 

Well, that ain’t so bad!” approved Aunt 
Jane. Sophia’s a whole year younger than 
you; but she takes a bigger waist. Stand out 
195 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


there — my, but it^s short! Never mind! 
here’s a petticoat to go with it.” 

Polly looked down in dismay. She had 
thought she might perhaps steal away to the 
hospital, just to let the Doctor and Miss 
Lucy know where she was; but she could 
never brave the street in such a skirt. 

^^Now I’ll go to sewin’ buttons, and you 
can do up the dinner dishes. I left ’em, 
thinkin’ you’d be here. This is the way to 
the kitchen.” And presently Polly found her- 
self in a little stuffy box of a room, with a 
tableful of greasy dishes before her. 

Where are the children?” she ventured. 

At school, of course, — where you ought 
to be. Marcus and ’Melie I left at Mis’ 
Cobbe’s. That Marcus is a terror! I shall 
be thankful when he goes to school. Why 
didn’t they send you this fall? You’ll be 
’way back in your books.” 

‘‘Dr. Dudley has made arrangements for 
me to go to a school near the hospital; it 
does n’t begin till next week.” 

“Oh, a private school! My, if they ain’t 
puttin’ the airs on to you!” 

“It’s near. That’s why — ” 

196 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


^‘Huh! Well, ain^t near here. I guess 
you can git along with the one my kids go 
to.^' 

Polly did not reply. Experience had 
taught her to be sparing of words with Aunt 
Jane. She was still toiling with the heavy 
crockery, when a rush of feet in the hallway 
announced that school was out. 

The door banged wide. 

^‘Hoh! you Ve got back, have yer?’’ 

Hullo, Poll!” 

^^Say, what you wearin’ my dress for?” 

^^Oh, you Ve got on a gold locket! Le^ me 
see it ! ” Katie’s fingers began pulling at the 
clasp. 

''Oh, don’t, please! ’’cried Polly. " I ’ll un- 
fasten it for you as soon as I get the dishes 
done.” 

"I want to see it now! Mamma, shan’t 
Polly take off her locket, and let me see it?” 

"Polly, why can’t you try to please your 
cousin, and not be so stingy with your 
things?” 

"My hands are soapy,” she apologized, 
"and—” 

"Well, don’t you know enough to wipe 
197 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


them?^^ snapped Aunt Jane. “You seem to 
have grown very helpless.^’ 

“ Say, what are these blue stones in here? 
queried Katie, turning the locket curiously- 

“Turquoises,’’ Polly answered, eyeing 
with fear Katie’s rough handling. 

“Whose picture is this?” was the next 
question. “Stop, you Gregory — you’ll 
break it! Mamma, shan’t he stop pulling it 
so?” 

“Yes, Gregory, you just wait, like a good 
boy, till your sister’s seen it; then you can 
take it.” 

Polly trembled. Her beautiful locket and 
chain in Gregory’s dirty fingers! 

“You have n’t told me who this is,” com- 
plained Katie. 

“Burton Leonard.” 

“It’s the kid she sung to,” added the 
mother; “the one the paper told about.” 

“Oh!” cried Katie. “What big eyes he’s 
got!” And she snapped the locket together. 

“Now it’s my turn!” asserted Maude, 
snatching the pretty thing from her sister’s 
hand. 

Gregory burst into a wail. 

198 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


*^Yer said I could have it next!^^ he la- 
mented. 

Let him take it ! urged the mother. But 
Maude only clasped the chain about her own 
neck, and danced off to the looking-glass over 
the sink. 

Yer mean old thing!’’ screamed Gregory. 

‘^Come get it, Greg!” Sophia darted 
towards her sister. 

^^When yer do, let me know!” jeered 
Maude, eluding their outstretched hands, 
and putting a chair between them and her- 
self. 

A short skirmish was followed by a chase 
around the room, until their mother inter- 
posed. 

Gracious me! what a hubbub! Maude 
Simpson, bring that locket to me this 
minute!” 

^^It wasn’t my fault at all!” whimpered 
Maude, taking off the chain and dropping it 
in her mother’s lap. 

There ’s never no peace when you kids are 
in the house!” grumbled the woman, tossing 
aside her work, and disappearing in the next 


room. 


199 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘What yer done with it?^^ whined Greg- 
ory, as she came back with empty hands. 

^^IVe put it where you won’t find it in a 
hurry,” she answered tartly. “Now hustle 
outdoors, the whole of you, and don’t show 
your heads in here again till supper time!” 

Polly drew a breath of relief, as the last 
Simpson vanished. She had forgotten how 
turbulent the children were. 

When the dishes were out of the way be- 
gan Polly’s first lesson in sewing buttons to 
cards, and to Aunt Jane’s delight she could 
soon do the work quickly and well. 

“You’ll be quite a help,” was the com- 
mendation that brought a little solace to her 
sore heart. “Thank goodness, you ’re quieter 
than my own kids!” 

So passed the afternoon, until came supper 
and the new uncle. 

Polly had been helping set the table, when 
the door opened, and a little, thin-featured 
man stepped softly in. 

“Polly May, I’ll make you acquainted 
with your Uncle ’Rastus, ’Rastus Bean,” 
called Aunt Jane from the cupboard that 
served for china closet and pantry. 

200 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


^^How do you do, my dear? How do 
you do? smiled Mr. Erastus Bean, hold- 
ing out his hand. “I’m very glad to see 
you.” 

Polly’s little fingers had barely touched 
the strong, wiry ones, when Mrs. Bean’s 
rasping voice broke in. 

“Come along and wash up, ’Rastus! The 
water’s good and hot.” 

Polly’s hand was dropped, as if it had been 
of the temperature of the water. 

“ Yis, I’m cornin’, Jane! I’m cornin’ fas’ ’s 
I can!” The little man hurried across to the 
sink. 

The children tumbled in, Gregory sprawl- 
ing across the threshold and knocking Katie 
against a chair. 

“Why don’t yer ever look where yer 
goin’?” fretted Sophia. 

“He’s always runnin’ over me!” wailed 
Katie. 

“Say, where’s Marcus and ’Melie?” de- 
manded Maude. 

“Over to Mis’ Gobbe’s, where I hope 
they’ll stay till after supper,” answered their 
mother. “Her kids have been here enough, 
201 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


and I guess she can ^tend to mine for one 
meal.” 

“I can^t go after ’em, ’cause I got to study 
my spellin’,” announced Sophia. 

^‘Nobody asked yer to,” retorted Mrs. 
Bean. ^‘They’d ought to know enough to 
come home alone.” 

The meal progressed to the accompani- 
ment of jarring speech, and Polly was glad 
when it was over. 

Mamma, can we go up on the roof?” 
asked Katie. “The other folks are up there, 
and we’ll keep away from the edge.” 

“I don’t care; but, remember, the first one 
that goes near that rail gets a whippin’!” 

The door slammed behind Maude, and 
Polly began to clear the table. She was tak- 
ing up her old tasks as naturally as if she had 
never been free from them. 

“Guess I’ll go up myself for a few min- 
utes,” mused Mrs. Bean. “’Rastus, you go 
fetch Marcus and ’Melie home! Marcus 
’u’d have a fit if we went up on the roof with- 
out him. And, Polly, you can put ’Melie to 
bed, and do up the dishes, and then come on 
up, if you want to. ’Rastus!” 

202 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


The little man halted in the doorway. 

‘^What, Jane?^^ 

Split up some kindlin’s when you git 
back, and you may as well fix the fire for 
mornin^ — it must be about out now.’^ 

The dishes were nearly washed when the 
children were brought in; and the boy had 
departed for the roof, and his small sister 
was in bed, by the time the new uncle had 
finished his chores. 

I ^11 put them plates up in the cupboard, 
volunteered the little man. '^Set ri’ down 
and rest.^^ 

But Polly helped, until the last dish was 
in place and the pan hung up on its nail. 
Then she dropped wearily into a chair. 

‘‘That Maude ought to have wiped ^em for 
yer,’’ he sympathized. “But them kids!^^ 
He wagged his head soberly. “I’d ruther 
stan’ at the bench, down to the shop, all day 
long, than be round with such actin’ mor- 
tals. Jane, she can manage ’em if she sets 
out; but ’most gen’ally she don’t set out. 
Wisht I could do somethin’ for yer,” he 
proffered. “Ye’re all tuckered out!” 

“Oh, I’m just a little tired — that’s all!’’ 
203 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


smiled Polly. ‘^You are ever so good! I 
wanted to go up to the hospital, and tell 
them where I am — they don^t know, and 
I^m afraid they’ll worry! But I guess I can’t 
to-night,” she ended sadly. 

‘‘Why, I can run up there for yer, jus’ ’s 
well ’s not,” he nodded. 

“ Oh ! will you? ’ ’ she brightened. “ I ’ll be 
so glad! But won’t it be too much trouble?” 

“Not a bit !” he returned glibly. Then his 
pinched face shaded. “If I can git back be- 
fore she comes down,” he hesitated, waver- 
ing between kindness and fear. “I guess I 
can,” he decided, and put on his hat. 

“If Dr. Dudley isn’t there,” Polly told 
him, “please ask for Miss Lucy Price. She’ll 
do just as well. She ’s the nurse in our ward.” 

“I’ll do it up all straight,” he exulted, 
stepping briskly with the importance of his 
errand. But as his hand touched the knob, 
another’s was before it. His wife opened the 
door. 

“Where you goin’, ’Rastus Bean?” she 
demanded. 

“I — I was just goin’ out for a little 
walk,” he faltered. 


204 


The Kidnaping of Polly 


walk!^’ she snapped. youVe got 
yer chores done, you ^d better walk into bed ! 

Without a word he disappeared in an ad- 
joining room, while his wife lifted the stove 
cover, to see if his tasks had been faithfully 
performed. 

Polly^s forlorn hope vanished with the lit- 
tle man; but no tears came until she was on 
her pillow, shut from all eyes. Then they 
gushed forth in a flood. 


CHAPTER XIII 


THE RETURN 

P OLLY was awakened early by clash- 
ing talk. The girls, whose room she 
shared, were in a wrangle over her 
pretty, blue hair ribbon. 

Sophia had spied it first, and was slyly 
using it for her own straight locks, when 
Maude had snatched it away, and a hubbub 
followed. 

The owner of it did not interfere, but be- 
gan to dress, as if she had no interest in the 
cause of the quarrel. 

She’s more stuck-up ’n she used to be!” 
Polly overheard Maude sneer, as she hurried 
away in response to her aunt’s call. 

Mr. Bean was already eating breakfast, 
and he greeted the little girl pleasantly, 
though keeping watch of his wife, who was 
frying cakes. 

• ‘‘Here! give these to your uncle,” Polly 
was bidden; whereupon the little man began 
206 


The Return 


such attempts at kindliness as to draw out a 
contemptuous, from over the grid- 

dle. After that he fastened his eyes on his 
plate, and ate in silence. 

By the time the elder children were off for 
school, and the younger had departed to 
a neighboring tenement, Polly^s early tasks 
were completed, and she sat down again to 
the button-sewing. 

The little kitchen was very still, and Pol- 
ly’s thoughts sped back to the big house on 
the hill. She wondered how long it would be 
before she should see Dr. Dudley and Miss 
Lucy. Were they worrying about her and 
trying to find her? She could only guess. 

b’lieve I’ll run up and get that ginger- 
bread receipt of Mis’ Moore’s.” The nasal 
voice broke in rudely upon the wondering. 

Mrs. Bean shook the threads from her 
apron, and turned towards the door. 

^^If the kids come in and want something 
to eat, before I get back,” she halted to say, 
^Hhere’s cookies in that little stone pot in 
the cupboard. Don’t let ’em have but two 
apiece.” 

Wild thoughts, entirely foreign to Aunt 
207 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Janets directions, were flashing through 
Polly^s mind. 

If only there were time! She could try it! 
She must let Dr. Dudley and the others 
know! 

shan^t be gone long,’’ her aunt was say- 
ing. You stick to your work!” 

Polly waited only to hear her walk the 
length of the hall above, and a door open and 
shut. Then she cautiously stole out, and 
down the stairs, three long flights. Not 
more than a block away she had noticed a 
grocery. Groceries have telephones. She 
would run down there, and call up the hospi- 
tal! At the outer door she paused an instant 
for one troubled look at her short skirt; 
but time was precious, and quickly she was 
speeding down the sidewalk. 

‘^Hoh! look at her!” jeered a big boy from 
across the street. 

She did not even glance his way. 

‘^Have you a telephone?” was her breath- 
less inquiry of a man at the entrance of the 
little shop. 

A jerk of his fat thumb towards the dim 
interior was his only answer. 

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‘^Please, may I use it?^^ 

He nodded indifferently, and then she was 
hurrying in the direction indicated. 

The instrument was on the wall, and 
Polly on tiptoe could not reach the mouth- 
piece. Looking around for a possible foot- 
stool, she spied a small box, which might 
have been used before for a similar service, 
and pulling it into position she found that 
it brought her to the proper height. With a 
trembling hand she lifted the receiver from 
its hook. She was familiar with the hospital 
number, and gave it without hesitation. 

^^Put in your nickel came distinctly to 
her ear. 

Polly started in dismay. This was a pay 
station ! 

— havenT any!^’ she faltered pathetic- 
ally, and the merciless snap of the wire told 
her that her last hope had been cut off. 

She pushed the box back where she had 
found it, and walked slowly out of the shop. 
Her feet still lagged when she turned towards 
the tenement. What mattered it if Aunt 
Jane should return and find her absent? 
What mattered anything now? Then came a 
209 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


sudden daring temptation. The road was 
free — and she was there ! Why not keep on 
to the hospital? She looked down — her 
skirts were inches above her knees! If only 
Aunt Jane had not insisted that she wear 
Sophia^s petticoats, to match the length of 
the borrowed dress! Could she brave the 
crowded streets in such attire? One thought 
of those she loved best brought instant de- 
cision. She could dare anything for their 
sakes. With a shrinking, fast-beating heart, 
she turned, and went quickly forward. 

She had not gone far, when ahead, whirl- 
ing towards her, seemed a familiar object. 
Could it be? There were other dark green 
automobiles — but it was ! — it was Dr. 
Dudley! 

Polly dashed into the road, — perilously 
near the track of the approaching car, — 
wildly waving her hands. It stopped al- 
most at her feet, and then she was in Dr. 
Dudley^s arms. 

For a moment she could only sob out her 
joy. 

^‘WTiere have you been, Polly, child? We 
were all so worried — 

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knew you would be! I knew it! But 
Aunt Jane made me come! She held me 
tight and I could n^t get away! Mr. Bean 
was going to tell you last night; but she 
would n^t let him — she sent him to bed ! 
And I tried to telephone to you just now, 
and I had n^t any five cents — oh, dear!^^ 

^^Poor little girl!” and the Doctor^s voice 
was very tender. 

His eyes passed beyond the curly head to 
the curb, where a knot of men and boys re- 
garded them curiously. 

Where is the telephone, Polly? ” he asked. 

^^Up there, in the little grocery store.” 
Her hand showed the direction. 

He swung her gently into the auto, 
stepped in beside her, and steered slowly 
towards the conspicuous sign. 

be back in a minute,” he told her, 
and disappeared between the shelves of fruit 
and vegetables. 

Polly's eyes followed him lovingly. Pre- 
sently he was beside her again. 

wanted to let them know that you are 
safe,” he smiled. ^‘Now we will see that 
Aunt Jane.” 


211 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


They went up the long stairs, Polly in ad- 
vance. Her aunt heard her, and opened the 
kitchen door. 

‘‘Where in the world — ’’ she began 
sharply, but stopped at sight of the tall man. 

“I did nT know anybody was with you,’^ 
she muttered; and then recognized Dr. 
Dudley. 

“IVe had quite a hunt for you,^’ he re- 
marked. “You have moved recently.” 

“Yes,” she assented, “when I was mar- 
ried; this is nearer his shop. I s^pose you’re 
after Polly,” she added; “but I’ve made up 
my mind not to let her stay at the hospital 
any longer. I need her at home.” 

“You will allow her to come to us for a 
day,” he smiled, in a tone that admitted of 
no refusal. 

“Ain’t no need of her goin’ back,” she 
fretted; “I can send for her things.” 

“I’ll agree to bring her luggage, when she 
comes for good,” the Doctor returned pleas- 
antly; “but we want her for another day or 
two, at the least. Polly, run and get ready! I 
shall be due at the hospital before long.” 

In the little dim bedroom the eager fingers 
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made quick work with the buttons. This 
was what Polly had not dared hope for, a day 
or two more with those she loved! Presently 
she was back in her pretty dress and shoes, 
and was fastening on her hat before the little 
cracked mirror. Oh, her locket! She had 
come near forgetting it. 

“Please, Aunt Jane, can I have my locket 
and chain? she asked, facing the somewhat 
disturbed woman. 

“There’s no call for you to wear it to- 
day,” was the sullen reply. 

“Oh, but I’d like it, please, if you don’t 
mind!” Polly insisted, gaining courage from 
Dr. Dudley’s presence. 

With a toss of her head, Mrs. Bean 
stalked into the next room. The moments 
passed. Still she did not return. When she 
did appear, she looked actually troubled. 

“That Gregory must have got hold of it, 
and gone and hid it away, or something!” 
she worried. “ I ’ve hunted high and low, but 
’t ain’t anywhere! Now you needn’t go to 
bein’ scared, Polly!” for the little girl’s face 
plainly showed her distress. “I guess you 
can stand it if you don’t have on any geegaws 
213 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


to-day! I’ll get it fast enough when that kid 
conies home from school. But, oh, he’s a 
terror, Gregory is!” 

They went downstairs, Polly clinging to 
the Doctor’s hand, as if she feared that even 
now something might separate her from him. 
In the auto, however, she settled back rest- 
fully in her seat. It was so unspeakably good 
to feel a loving protector close beside. 

Dr. Dudley made quick time on the return 
trip to the hospital, and David was waiting 
for them by the stepping-stone. 

“Hullo!” cried Polly blithely. 

“Hullo!” he responded; adding, “Oh! 
what made you give us such a scare?” 

“I couldn’t help it; truly I couldn’t!” 
she replied. 

“Well, I’m glad you’re back again!” 
David declared fervently, insisting on carry- 
ing her bundle and her little white sweater. 

“Better run up to the ward, and let them 
have a sight of you,” the Doctor advised. 
“Did you tell your uncle? ” turning to the lad. 

“Yes, sir. And I called up Mrs. Jocelyn, 
too; but she said she had just heard from 
you.” 


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Polly^s eyes grew wide and grave. Had her 
friends all been worrying like this? 

Dr. Dudley glanced at his watch. shall 
be busy until noon/^ he said; ‘‘but, Polly, I 
wish you would come down directly after 
dinner. I want to talk with you.’’ 

She went upstairs wondering if the “talk” 
were to be about going back to Aunt Jane’s. 
She had not reached any conclusion when 
the sight of Miss Lucy and Leonora put the 
troublesome matter from her mind. 

“My precious!” breathed Miss Lucy in 
her ear. 

“Oh, you darling Polly!” squealed the 
little lame girl, with a frantic hug. “We 
thought you must be kid — kid — kid- 
’aped, or whatever ’tis!” she ended des- 
perately. 

“I was — by Aunt Jane,” laughed Polly; 
“but Dr. Dudley rescued me.” 

“Maybe he wouldn’t, if it hadn’t been 
for Colonel Gresham,” returned Leonora, 
with a shake of her head, as the other child- 
ren jostled her carelessly, in their eagerness 
to be at the front. 

“What did the Colonel do?” queried 
215 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Polly wonderingly; but the rest claimed her, 
and the answer had to wait. 

^‘YouVe lost your locket!^’ cried Stella 
Pope. Did you know it? 

‘^It isn^t lost exactly,” Polly explained, 
instinctively shielding the guilty lad as much 
as possible in her brief narration of facts. 

“Aw, what a kid ! ” sniffed Johnny 
Ryan. 

“The horrid boy!” worried Mabel Camp. 
“What if they don’t ever find it!” 

“ Wliere’s yer hair ribbon?” asked Freder- 
ica, feeling responsible for the safety of that 
bit of dainty blue, since she had aided in its 
first use. 

Again Polly stood in defense. 

“My cousin Maude wore it to school, and 
she had n’t come home when I left.” 

“WTiat made yer let her?” mourned Fred- 
erica. “Bet yer I would n’t!” 

“Come, Polly, and change your dress,” 
interposed Miss Lucy, guessing somewhat of 
the truth from the little girl’s reddening 
cheeks and hesitating voice. 

In the dressing-room, behind the closed 
door, the nurse took Polly in her arms. 

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is so good to have you back again/^ 
she told her, with kisses for emphasis. 

The words stabbed the child^s heart. The 
time was to be so short! Still Polly would 
not spoil to-day with to-morrow^s or next 
day^s troubles, and she summoned brave 
smiles and gay responses, until she half for- 
got the dreary fourth-floor flat where she 
had passed the night. 

Leonora caught an early chance to draw 
Polly away to a corner where they could talk 
— or where she could, for she was bubbling 
with excitement over the untold story of 
last nighPs doings. 

'^My! I thought we’d go crazy when Mrs. 
Jocelyn telephoned to know why you did n’t 
come! There you’d had time to get to her 
house over ’n’ over again! Dr. Dudley just 
left ev’rything and went off in his auto, and 
hunted and hunted, and you was n’t any- 
where! Then he told the police, and they 
went to lookin’!” 

^‘The police!” repeated Polly, big-eyed 
with astonishment. 

'^Yes; but they couldn’t find you. Miss 
Lucy ’most cried, and Dr. Dudley looked so 
217 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


sober I did n’t dare speak to him. Oh, it was 
awful! We was sure you’d been kid — ” 
Leonora hesitated, as before. 

Kidnaped,” prompted Polly. 

^^Oh, yes, kidnaped! I never can remem- 
ber how it goes. Well, David said he knew 
you had been, and Miss Lucy kep’ saying, 
^Oh, no! it can’t be!’ But she looked as if 
she’d sink when she said it.” 

'^And what was it about Colonel Gre- 
sham?” Polly asked. You said — ” 

^^Yes,” Leonora hurried on, ^‘I’m cornin’ 
to it! We never any of us thought of your 
Aunt Jane, till Colonel Gresham he said 
had n’t you gone to see her. Dr. Dudley told 
him of course you wouldn’t, when you’d 
started for Mrs. Jocelyn’s, and the Colo- 
nel he said he should try her anyway. So 
Dr. Dudley jumped right into his auto and 
raced off to where your aunt used to live. 
When she was n’t there, and the folks did n’t 
know where she ’d gone, and her name was n’t 
in the directory at any new place, he did n’t 
know what to do!” 

She’s married Mr. Bean,” Polly put in^ 
‘^so she’s Mrs. Bean now.” 

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^^Oh, maybe that^s why he could n’t find 
her! Well, he come home, and he and Miss 
Lucy talked and talked, and High Price she 
talked, too, and — ” 

“High Price!” Polly broke out. 

“Yes, she felt awful about your bein’ lost 
— my! I guess we all did! You don’t know! 
I did n’t want to go to bed, and Miss Lucy let 
me sit up, hoping we’d hear something; but 
finally I had to, ’cause there was a woman 
sick, and the Doctor had to stop huntin’ for 
you, and go and ’tend to her, and David went 
home, for there was n’t anybody any more to 
telephone to. This morning Dr. Dudley he 
said he was going to find your Aunt Jane if 
she was in this city, and the next thing we 
knew David come rushin’ in, and sayin’ you 
was safe and sound — the Doctor had tele- 
phoned to him. My! how glad we were! I 
never wanted to dance so much in all my 
life! Say, why did n’t you send word where 
you was? ” 

“I couldn’t.” And Polly related some- 
thing of her unhappy stay in the house on 
Chestnut Street. 

She had not finished when David called 
219 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


up to know if Polly and Leonora could be 
spared. He was alone in the office, and 
wanted them. 

The lad was eager for Polly’s story, and 
much of it had to be retold. Then he dis- 
closed news of his own. 

^‘We’re going to move up to Uncle Da- 
vid’s the first of next week. Won’t that be 
jolly? You can come over any time; it is so 
near.” 

Leonora beamed her pleasure. Polly 
pushed back the tears. 

David’s face shaded with sudden dismay. 

^^You haven’t got to go back to your 
Aunt Jane’s?” he demanded fiercely. 

Polly’s head gave the answer. At the mo- 
ment speech seemed impossible. 

“You shall not!” he burst out. “If Dr. 
Dudley lets you go and live with those — 
those heathen, I ’ll never speak to him again 
as long as I live!” 

“Why, David Collins!” Polly’s gentle 
voice was grieved and full of astonishment. 

The pale, blue-eyed lad seemed to have 
vanished, and another to be standing there 
before her. His eyes, grown suddenly dark, 
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set in that flaming face, gave him a most un- 
natural look. 

“I shall have to go — Aunt Jane says I 
must,’’ she went on sadly. There ’s no other 
way.” 

There would be another way, if I were a 
man!” he raged. ‘^Oh, oh! I wish I were! I 
wish I were!” he cried passionately; and 
throwing himself upon the couch, face down- 
ward, his shoulders shook with sobs. 

Leonora bent her head on her arm, and 
wept silently. 

Polly was endeavoring to soothe them 
both when Dr. Dudley came in. 

Learning the cause of the tears, he remon- 
strated in his humorous way, until Leonora 
smiled again; but David scorned such com- 
fort, refusing to move or to speak. Finally 
the Doctor started to prepare the medicine 
he had come for, and the girls went upstairs, 
Polly renewing her promise to return directly 
after the noon meal. 


CHAPTER XIV 


POLLY^S ^^ANNE SISTEKS^^ 

D octor DUDLEY’S office was with- 
out an occupant when Polly peeped 
in. The Doctor had not returned 
from dinner, and David had gone home for 
the rest of the day. The little girl wandered 
about the room, too full of vague dread to 
care for books, or even for the fine collection 
of sea shells, which usually she never tired of. 
They had been brought home from foreign 
shores by an old uncle of the physician’s, 
and now, ranged on their wide shelves, they 
gleamed out from a farther corner of the of- 
fice in all the delicate tints of their wonderful 
family. 

But to-day Polly passed them by with 
only a sigh, remembering the happy times 
that she and David and Leonora had had in 
their close company, now playing that they 
were mermaids, come to tell them strange 
tales of the under-seas, now holding them to 
222 


Polly^s Anne Sisters^^ 


their ears, to catch the mysterious, fascinat- 
ing songs of the ocean which they were al- 
ways singing. 

^^Here already?’^ broke in the Doctor’s 
pleasant voice. don’t believe they gave 
you much of a dinner.” 

Yes, it was good; but I was n’t hungry 
this noon,” Polly replied, with a wan little 
smile. 

“You were in such a hurry to come down 
and see me that it took away your appetite 
— was that it?” he laughed. 

“I don’t know,” was the sober answer. 

The Doctor glanced furtively at her face, 
and grew grave at once. He squared some 
books and magazines upon the table, and 
then sat down in his lounging-chair, pulling 
Polly to his knee. 

“I want to know more about that Aunt 
Jane of yours,” he began. “Was your mo- 
ther her sister, or — ” 

“Oh, no, she was n’t!” Polly interrupted. 
“Mamma was an only child, just like me.” 

“And your father — did he have brothers 
dr sisters?” 

“I don’t know,” she answered slowly. 
223 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


died when I was three years old. I can 
only just remember him.’’ 

^^Do you recollect what Aunt Jane’s name 
was before she married? Was it May?” 

Polly shook her head doubtfully. can’t 
seem to think,” she mused. “Oh! I guess it 
was Carter, ’cause she’s always saying that 
Maude is clear Carter, just like her folks, and 
Marcus is all Simpson, like Uncle Gregory.” 

“What was your mother’s maiden name, 
her name when she was a girl?” the Doctor 
next questioned. 

“Phebe Illingworth. Grandma Illing- 
worth was her mother. She lived with us. 
She died the year before mamma did.” 

“Thistledown,” went on the Doctor, 
“some of my questions may sound rude, but 
it is important that I know a little more than 
I ever have known of your family history. I 
think you told me that your mother gave 
piano lessons.” 

“Yes, and grandma gave lessons on the 
violin and guitar, and singing lessons too.” 

“And what became of the piano and other 
musical instruments?” asked the Doctor 
quickly. 


224 


Polly^s Anne Sisters^ ^ 

think Aunt Jane sold them. She sold 
’most everything. Some of the furniture 
she’s got now.” 

^‘Was it nice furniture?” 

think it was lovely. There was a beau- 
tiful sideboard — that was grandma’s — 
with carved birds on it, and the wood was 
light brown — kind of yellowish — and so 
pretty!” 

‘‘Was that sold?” 

Polly nodded sadly. 

“Did your mother ever go to the bank, do 
you remember?” 

“Oh, yes, she did! She used to carry a 
little book.” 

“ Did you always have plenty of money to 
use — for food and clothes and so on?” 

“I guess so. We had nice things to eat, 
and pretty things to wear.” 

“You never heard of any will, I suppose?” 

The curls shook slowly. 

“Your mother was not sick long, was 
she?” the Doctor asked gently. 

“ She was never sick. She was giving a 
music lesson, one afternoon, and she fainted 
away — they couldn’t make her live.” The 
225 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


sorrowful voice softened almost to a whisper, 
and the golden head drooped to Dr. Dudley’s 
shoulder. 

He touched his lips to the white forehead, 
and tightened his clasp of the slender little 
form. 

“I am sorry enough to have to bring all 
this back,” he said; “but, Thistledown, I 
must discover a way, if possible, to keep you 
from that woman. I want to find out just 
how much legal right she has in regard to 
you. If we could only obtain sufficient evi- 
dence to prove that she is not a proper per- 
son to care for you — ” 

Polly had suddenly sat up straight, her 
eyes round with the startling, beautiful 
thought. 

“Do you mean,” she broke in excitedly, 
“that I should n’t have to go back to Aunt 
Jane?” 

The Doctor bowed. “But — ” he began. 

“ Oh, then I can stay with you! ” she burst 
out. “She is n’t proper, she is n’t nice, she 
is n’t — anything!” 

“I know, my dear!” smiled the Doctor. 
“But such things are hard to prove. I shall 
226 


Polly^s Anne Sisters” 


keep you, Thistledown, just as long as the 
law will let me; but the law must be obeyed, 
and we canT tell how things will come out/^ 

‘^WonT I have to go back to-morrow?^’ 
she asked eagerly. 

^^No, indeed,’’ he assured her. “Were you 
dreading that? Don’t be afraid. Thistle- 
down! Keep up a stout heart! You shall stay 
here for the present anyway.” He looked at 
his watch. “I think I’ll find Jack at home 
now,” he said; and, letting Polly slip to her 
feet, he placed her in his chair and crossed 
over to the telephone. 

Polly listened breathlessly. She knew that 
“Jack” must mean only Jack Brewster, a 
lawyer of the city, who had been a college 
classmate of the Doctor’s. The two were 
close friends. 

“That you. Jack?” Polly heard. “Yes. I 
want to see you professionally, as soon as 
po*fesible. No,” laughing; “but it is import- 
ant. Can you come up this evening? All 
right. Good-bye.” 

“Jack Brewster will do his best for us,” 
the Doctor said, coming back. “He says he 
will be here at seven or a little after. I think 
227 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


it probable that he will wish to ask you a few 
questions; but you won’t be afraid of him. 
He is one of the gentlest men I ever knew — 
and the strongest,” he added. 

am not afraid of anybody that is your 
friend,” returned Polly. 

The Doctor smiled. A very pretty com- 
pliment!” he told her; but she gave his praise 
scant notice. 

I wonder,” she said, ^4f you would like to 
see the little book mamma wrote about my 
Anne sisters.” 

^‘Your what?” he queried. 

^^My Anne sisters.” 

Only his twinkling eyes disclosed his 
amusement. Ancestors you mean, don’t 
you?” he corrected gently. 

Maybe,” doubtfully; ^^but there are lots 
of Annes in it that are related to me.” 

Where is the book?” 

Right upstairs, in ‘Under the Lilacs.’ 
Don’t you remember, you went down to 
Aunt Jane’s, and got some of my books when 
I was able to sit up?” 

“I recollect,” he nodded. 

“Well, that was why I sent for this one 
228 


Polly^s Anne Sisters” 

'specially, because I knew it had the little 
book in it, and mamma told me always to 
keep it. So I thought I 'd better have it with 
me." 

^^Run up and get it, child! It may be — " 
Polly was gone. 

It was indeed a very little book that she 
put in the Doctor's hand, simply a few sheets 
of small note paper sewed together. 

^^It has about the Illingworth family in 
one part, and about the May folks in the 
othei," Polly explained; but it is to be 
doubted if Dr. Dudley heard her, so eagerly 
was he scanning those lists of names. He 
clutched at one forlorn thread of hope, and 
as he read, the feeble thread waxed into a 
cord of strength. 

Polly — " he began brightly, and then 
stopped. After all he could not be sure, and 
he must not raise happy anticipations only 
to see them blasted. His face shaded, and he 
finished the sentence quite differently from 
what he had intended. He went on gravely, 
‘^Did the Simpsons take charge of every- 
thing after your mother went? Was nobody 
else there?" 


229 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘Not to stay, except Mrs. Brooks, who 
lived downstairs. She was n^t there much. I 
guess Aunt Jane did n’t want her.” 

Probably not,” remarked the Doctor 
grimly. 

‘‘Is the book any good?” she asked wist- 
fully. 

Again he was tempted to tell her, and 
again he restrained himself. 

“I think it will be of use to us,” he re- 
plied. 

“Did you see all the Annes?” she queried. 
“Are n’t there a lot of them?” 

He nodded laughingly. “ It is a good name 
and I have discovered yours among them.” 

“Did n’t you know it before? It is Mary 
Anne, after my great-aunt Mary Anne Illing- 
worth. I don’t like it so well as Polly.” 

“Or Thistledown,” he added gayly. His 
spirits had risen wonderfully since seeing the 
little book. 

The sudden change had its effect on Polly, 
and when she went upstairs it was with 
something of her accustomed blitheness. 

The afternoon passed pleasantly, but after 
supper the little girl grew unaccountably 
230 


Polly^s Anne Sisters^^ 


nervous. She started at every ring of the 
telephone, and gave queer, absent-minded 
answers to Leonora^s questions. Finally Miss 
Lucy, comprehending the situation, proposed 
a game; but Polly, usually the quickest of the 
children, allowed the others to eclipse her, 
while her ears were strained for the expected 
summons. At last, when the message came, 
she started downstairs with a fluttering heart, 
her nerves a-quiver with irrational fear. 

At any other time she would have been 
pleased at thought of meeting; E^. Dudley^s 
friend of whom she had heard so many de- 
lightful things; but now a vague terror pos- 
sessed her, lest he, being a part of that awful 
law, — which to her was only a name of dread, 
— might send her directly back to Aunt 
Janets. 

Polly rarely had a fall, so light and sure of 
foot was she; but at the top of the flight she 
stumbled and came near going headlong. 
This, turning her thoughts suddenly into an- 
other path, seemed somewhat to steady her 
quaking nerves, and when she reached the 
office door she was ready to smile a brave, 
though shy, greeting to the lawyer. 

231 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Jack Brewster was in appearance the op- 
posite of Dr. Dudley. The physician was 
tall and broad-shouldered, with no surplus 
flesh; yet none would have called him thin. 
The lawyer was slight almost as a boy, of fair ^ 
complexion, with an abundance of wavy 
brown hair, and eyes that had a habit of 
shining as if their owner had just received a 
bit of good news. They shone now, as he 
took one of Polly’s little hands in both his 
own, and told her how glad he was to make 
her acquaintance. 

I have n’t any little girl at my house,” he 
went on smilingly, ^‘but there’s a boy who 
makes things pretty lively. When I started 
to come away this evening he hugged my leg, 
and kept saying, ‘No sir-ee-sir! no sir-ee- 
sir!’ till I finally had to go back and tell him 
his usual bedtime story.” 

“How old is he?” asked Polly, her fears 
quite forgotten. 

“He will be two years, the third of next 
month. Bob,” whirling around to the 
Doctor, “why have n’t you brought Miss 
Polly out to see us? I ’m ashamed of you!” 

The physician laughed. “I am not very 
232 


Polly^s ^^Anne Sisters^^ 


neighborly, I’ll admit,” he returned. ‘^Sick 
people have crowded out the.well ones lately. 
I know well folks will keep.” 

^^Then the only way for me to get hold of 
you is to feign a chill or a fever or a broken 
leg — all right ! Thank you for the cue ! And 
now. Miss Polly,” he went on cheerily, 
want your honest opinion of that aunt of 
yours. Tell me, please, just how she makes 
you feel.” 

^‘Wh-y,” hesitated the surprised little 
girl, ^‘iil should say right out, I’m afraid it 
would n’t sound very polite or — ” 

Don’t think anything about politeness 
just now, please. Open your heart frankly, 
and let me see what is there in regard to her. 
Don’t be afraid to say exactly what you 
think. It may help me very much. I want to 
be able to look at her through your clear 
eyes.” 

A shadow darkened the fair little face, and 
pain crept in, and stayed. 

“She seems,” Polly began slowly, “like 
a dreadful dream — you know, when you 
wake up all shivery, and are so glad it is n’t 
real. Only” — with a little catch — “Aunt 
233 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Jane is real! Sometimes I feel sick all over 
when I think about her, and going back 
there — oh,^^ she burst out passionately, 
rather die than go back to live with 
her! Mr. Brewster, don^t make me go! 
Please don^t make me go!^^ The words came 
with a half sob, but she fought the tears 
back, and her appealing eyes searched his 
face for hope. 

^‘My dear child, he exclaimed tenderly, 
^^you must not worry one bit more about 
this! You have given me exactly what I 
want. Now leave the matter with Dr. Dud- 
ley and me. We will attend to Aunt Jane, 
and your part is only to forget her and to 
have a good time. Will you agree to do 
this?^’ 

“If I can,^^ she answered softly; “but Aunt 
Jane is very hard to forget!” 

“I dare say she is,” smiled the lawyer; 
“but I think you can do it. You know the 
best way to forget a disagreeable thing?” 

No, Polly did not. 

“It is to keep thinking of other things, 
pleasant things, until the mind is so full of 
them that there is nT a scrap of room for 
234 


Polly^s Anne Sisters^* 


whatever is annoying. You try it, and see if 
I am not right 

There are lots of pleasant things to think 
of,^’ smiled Polly. 

^^To be sure there are! One is, that Dr. 
Dudley is going to bring you out to my 
house some morning to stay all day.” 

^^Oh,” beamed Polly, ^Hhat would be 
nice!” She looked across at the Doctor. 

He nodded happily. 

^Hf he doesnT do it,” and the lawyer 
made a comical grimace in Dr. Dudley^s di- 
rection, ^H’ll come after you myself.” 

Polly gurgled out her little laugh, which 
sounded as if she had already begun to fol- 
low the lawyer^s advice, and she thanked 
him very sweetly for his invitation and his 
promise. Presently she went upstairs, and 
Miss Lucy was relieved to see that she ap- 
peared more like her usual self. But she was 
very quiet, repeating nothing of what had 
passed in the office. It had been a hard day, 
and Polly was glad when the time came for 
her to creep into bed. 

On Saturday Miss Lucy and her small 
assistant had a busy morning. There was 
235 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


scant time to think about Aunt Jane. When 
she did appear in Polly’s mind, the little girl 
remembered Mr. Brewster’s counsel, and 
hastened to perform her task in hand with 
exceeding faithfulness, putting on fresh pil- 
low slips with as much care as if the wel- 
fare of the ward depended on their being 
straight to a thread. Her efforts were suc- 
cessful, too, for they pushed away Aunt 
Jane. So the forenoon passed, leaving her at 
dinner time a little more tired than usual, 
but free from the worry of the day before. 

Soon after the meal Miss Lucy went down- 
stairs. When she came back Polly was play- 
ing Authors with Leonora, Mabel, Frederica, 
and Stella. She stopped beside Polly’s 
chair. 

‘^Dr. Dudley wants you,” she smiled. 
‘^Run right along, and I will take your 
place.” 

Polly went, wondering, but fearing little. 
Miss Lucy’s face was too radiant to betoken 
anything unpleasant. 

Dr. Dudley held out his arms, and the 
little girl ran into them. 

Glorious news. Thistledown! It is all 
236 


Polly^s Anne Sisters^^ 


settled! ^Aunt Jane^ has no right to you 
whatever!^’ 

she gasped, and went suddenly 

white. 

The Doctor dropped into a chair, and took 
her in his lap, letting her lean against him. 

glad you are going to school next 
week,’’ he declared. ^^You will get out of 
doors more. I ’m not going to have you pal- 
ing up in this way every little while. You are 
in the house too much.” 

^^I’m all right,” she argued. ‘^Tell me 
about it, please!” 

‘^To begin with,” he smiled, these people 
are no relatives of yours.” 

Polly’s eyes rounded with amazement. 

‘^And Aunt Jane is n’t my aunt at all?” 

“Not the least mite of an aunt,” he 
laughed. “It was a hard thing for her to 
admit; but she had to do it.” 

“You have seen her?” queried Polly. 

“Mr. Brewster and I were there this fore- 
noon. It seems that she lived next door to 
you at the time your father died, and, ac- 
cording to her own statement, she gave your 
mother a great deal of assistance at that 
237 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


time. It is easy to see how she made your 
mother feel under obligations to her, and the 
rest came about as it naturally might with 
such a woman. When she saw her chance for 
gain she improved it. She has defrauded you 
out of household goods and money; but Jack 
thinks we should hardly make anything by 
taking the matter into court. There is nearly 
two thousand dollars still to your credit in 
the bank, and that shall stay there till you 
are of age. She was allowed only a certain 
sum per week for your support — the rest 
she could not touch; but she did what she 
pleased, it seems, with the money received 
for furniture and so on. She has no property 
that we can get hold of, except the things 
which belonged to your mother. Those we 
can take, if you will tell me what they 
are.” 

^^Oh! can I have mammals little rosewood 
work-table! I saw it there the other day.” 

The Doctor was busy with pad and pencil. 

^^The sooner we get them the better, so 
think hard now, and IT note them down.” 

“There’s a good deal of china, and some 
nice glass dishes, and the silver spoons and 
238 


Polly^s Anne Sisters*^ 


forks — I could tell which they were if I 
could see them/^ 

You are going to pick them out, with Mr. 
Brewster and me.’’ 

^^I’m going there?” Polly cried. 

Dr. Dudley nodded. ^‘You’re not afraid?” 
He smiled reassuringly. 

‘^Oh, no, not with you!” she replied. 

There’s two trunks,” she went on, ^^with 
some of mamma’s clothes in. A good many 
are worn out — she wore ’em, and made ’em 
over for the girls and me. Then there are all 
our books, and three or four chairs, and a 
lovely clock — oh, and a great pile of mam- 
ma’s music, with some pieces that she wrote 
herself!” 

The list was longer than Dr. Dudley had 
expected. When Polly could think of nothing 
more, he called up the lawyer by telephone, 
making an appointment to meet him. Shortly 
afterwards he put Polly in the auto, and they 
started for Mrs. Bean’s. 

On the way the little girl thought of her 
precious locket. 

^^We shall get it if we can,” the Doctor 
told her. ^^Mrs. Bean appears to be honest 
239 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


about that. She believes the boy has it; but 
he professes innocence. I fancy she will keep 
him out of our way if possible. 

They took the lawyer in at his office, 
and Polly finished her ride sitting on his 
knee. 

When Mrs. Bean learned their errand, she 
turned red, then white, and seemed greatly 
excited. At first she was inclined to re- 
sent their coming as an intrusion, declar- 
ing, There ainT much belongin’ to the kid 
anyhow.” But, as earlier in the day, she 
quailed before Mr. Brewster’s firm, quiet 
speech, and sullenly led the way to the vari- 
ous articles called for. Finally nothing re- 
mained unchecked on the list except the two 
trunks. 

h’ain’t got no trunks,” the woman 
bristled. You’ve seen my rooms an’ all 
there is in ’em! Them trunks prob’ly was 
sold along with other things.” 

^^Why, Aunt Jane,” put in Polly, “they 
were here just before I was hurt. I remem- 
ber, because — ” 

“Huh!” she cackled. “I wasn’t here 
then, an’ I guess they wa’n’t!” 

240 


Polly^s “Anne Sisters^^ 


“I mean where we lived then,” corrected 
Polly. 

“ Wal, they ain’t here nor there now,” she 
insisted. 

“Can’t we go up attic?” questioned Polly. 
“You said, the other day, there was an attic 
to—” 

“I hain’t got nothin’ up there,” Mrs. 
Bean broke in, with flaming face. 

“Will you allow us to look through it, 
please?” The lawyer’s voice was low, but 
tense. 

“There ain’t no call for you to go paradin’ 
up there,” she snapped. “Pretty how d’ y’ 
do, if you can’t take my word for it!” 

“It is an easy matter to be mistaken,” 
Mr. Brewster smiled. “Have you a key to 
the apartment? Or is it open?” 

Mrs. Bean took time for reply, narrowing 
her eyes, as if in deep thought. She was 
quick to see the loophole of escape which the 
lawyer had shown her. Still she hesitated. 

“Wal,” she muttered Anally, “it’s barely 
possible I was thinkin’ o’ some other trunks; 
but I don’t b’lieve I was. I do’ know; I’m 
driven to death. I sh’d think I’d forgit my 
241 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


own name, slavin’ ’s I have to! ’T won’t do 
no hurt, I s’pose, for you to go up an’ see.” 

The trunks were found, as Mr. Brewster 
had been sure they would be. He opened 
both, and he and Polly hastily looked over 
their contents. Besides bundles of old letters, 
photographs, and numerous little memen- 
toes, there wras much of value, — fine table 
and bed linen, a silk dress, some exquisite 
laces, and a little box of odd pieces of 
jewelry. 

^^Oh!” Polly burst out, “I forgot grand- 
ma’s watch I And mamma’s coral pin and her 
topaz ring!” 

^'They’re downstairs,” volunteered Mrs. 
Bean. forgot them, too!” 

After the trunks were locked, and the keys 
in Mr. Brewster’s pocket, he and the Doctor 
carried them into the hallway. While they 
were busy, there was a clatter of feet on the 
lower stairs, and Mrs. Bean slipped hurriedly 
away. 

‘‘I guess the children have come,” said 
Polly. 

But when the three reached the apartment 
below, no young folks were visible, and the 
242 


Polly^s Anne Sisters” 


lawyer silently concluded to defer his at- 
tempt with Gregory until another time. 

An hour later Polly’s goods were brought 
to the hospital, and Leonora and several 
other children, who were able to be down- 
stairs, were given the unbounded delight of 
seeing them unloaded. 


CHAPTER XV 


A BID FOR POLLY 

E arly on Monday morning Polly re- 
ceived an urgent request from Mrs. 
Jocelyn that she begin her delayed 
visit that very hour. So, as school was to 
open on Wednesday, it was decided that the 
little girl should accept the renewed invita- 
tion, and that Dr. Dudley should fetch her 
home on the succeeding afternoon. 

^^By that time,^^ observed David, ^‘we 
shall be all moved, and we can go to school 
together in the morning.” 

“But, oh, dear!” groaned Leonora, “that 
Aunt Jane will get you again, sure! Oh, Dr. 
Dudley, don’t let her go alone, please don’t!” 

Polly laughed happily. It was hard for 
Leonora to realize that Mrs. Bean had no 
more power over her beloved friend. 

But Dr. Dudley did not laugh. Leonora 
had been of the band of anxious ones on that 
night of suspense, and he could understand 
244 


A Bid for Polly 


how she still feared to have Polly venture far 
without a protector. 

“You need not worry/ ^ he assured her. “I 
shall not let Polly out of my sight until she 
is safely inside Mrs. Jocelyn^s house.^^ 

“I could go alone just as well/’ smiled the 
little girl. “There is n’t any danger.” 

“It is too long a walk,” returned the 
Doctor, “and don’t you dare to come back, 
young lady, until you come with me!” He 
shook his finger at her threateningly. 

She giggled, while David remarked, with 
a mischievous twinkle: — 

“That would be a good way to keep her 
there — you need n’t go after her!” 

“Do you want me to stay away, David 
Collins?” demanded Polly. 

“No, I don’t,” he admitted, laughing. 

“Oh, don’t talk about her staying away!” 
pleaded Leonora. “We did, just in fun, last 
time, and then she was lost!” 

“Oh, you funny, blessed Leonora!” cried 
Polly, putting her arms around her friend’s 
neck, “I’m not going to get lost, or stay 
away, either — only one night. I guess you 
can stand it for just one night.” 

245 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Dr. Dudley saw his charge inside Mrs. 
Jocelyn’s door, according to his promise; but 
the little lady told him that he need not 
come after her, for she would bring her back 
on the following day. 

Mrs. Jocelyn’s home was in a delightful 
quarter of the city, opposite a park of many 
acres. The house was a dignified mansion, 
full of stately old furniture, and if it had 
not been for its owner’s cheery hospitality it 
would have been rather awe-inspiring to a 
little girl like Polly. But Polly, having been 
several times a guest in the big house, now 
felt quite at home, and ran up and down the 
polished oaken stairs and through the grand, 
dimly lighted hallways as merrily as if she 
had always been used to such imposing sur- 
roundings. 

It is too bad Dorothy could n’t stay over 
till this week,” Mrs. Jocelyn said; ^^but 
never mind! She’ll come again before long, 
and then you’ll see her. We’ll have such 
pleasant times to-day and to-morrow, that 
she won’t be missed. This afternoon we are 
going shopping, and you are to buy .presents 
for everybody you like.” 

246 



FORGETTING ALL BUT THE MUSIC SHE LOVED 




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A Bid for Polly 


beamed Polly. 

^^And to-morrow morning/^ her hostess 
went on, ‘^we are invited to a musicale across 
the street, at Mrs. Trowbridge’s, where we 
shall hear the wonderful little violinist who 
is being made so much of by musicians.” 

Won’t that be lovely!” cried Polly. 
have n’t heard any music in ever so long, ex- 
cept at church, and David’s singing.” 

Mrs. Jocelyn smiled appreciatively. 
knew you would enjoy it,” she said. “Now I 
shall be busy for a few minutes, and you can 
do anything you choose, — mouse around the 
library, or play on the piano, or make out a 
list of what you’d like to give your friends. 
We will start soon after luncheon. You 
won’t have time for much; I’m only going to 
make a salad dressing which I fancy I can 
mix a little better than Tilly can. Then I ’ll 
help you with the presents.” 

Polly had taken lessons of her mother, and 
her fingers still remembered bits of the pieces 
she had learned; so the piano was her first 
choice. Lured on by the familiar airs, she 
played and played, forgetting all but the 
music she loved. 


247 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Mrs. Jocelyn returned from the kitchen, 
and, unnoticed, slipped into a seat back of 
the player. 

Finally Polly turned around. 

felt you there!’’ she laughed. “Have I 
hindered you?” 

“You have been charming me. Why, 
child, I did n’t know you could play so well! 
And all out of practice, too! I shouldn’t 
think you could recollect a note.” 

“My fingers seem to,” Polly smiled. “ I ’ll 
think I don’t know a piece, and then my 
hands go right along and play it.” 

“I wish mine would,” laughed Mrs. Joce- 
lyn. “But I’ve let my music go too long; it 
will never come back.” Her last tones were 
a little sad, but she quickly recovered her 
gayety. “Suppose we think over now,” she 
proposed, “what you would like to purchase 
at the stores, and where we shall need to go. 
Then we can the better map out our after- 
noon.” 

Polly was all eagerness at once, and her 
hostess was no less interested. 

“Are n’t there some new girls in the ward 
who have n’t any dolls?” 

248 


A Bid for Polly 


Polly answered, ^Hhere are five or 
six. Let me see,’’ tapping off the names on 
her fingers, ^Hhere’s Mabel, and Stella, and 
Frederica, and Angiola, and Trotty, — she’s 
only four, — and Mary Pender, and Ida 
Regan, — she’s real pretty; that makes 
seven: I think that’s all.” 

^^You shall choose a doll for each one of 
them. You will know better than I just what 
will suit.” 

‘^Oh, it will be such fun!” chuckled Polly. 
^^And you are so good to do it!” 

‘ ^ Pshaw ! ’ ’ exclaimed the little lady. ^ ^ I’m 
only being good to myself. I have just be- 
gun to learn what money is for, and I am en- 
joying it — for the first time in years!” A 
shadow stole over the wrinkled pink-and- 
white face; but a smile quickly chased it 
away. ^‘Now, my love, whose name shall 
head your list of especial friends?” 

I don’t know,” Polly hesitated. Do you 
mean children?” 

mean anybody that you would like to 
honor with a gift. Suppose you begin with 
Miss Price — Miss Lucy Price.” 

^^Oh, I’d love to! But what could I get?” 

249 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


‘^Plenty of things to choose from, — 
books and jewelry and all sorts of knick- 
knacks, besides pretty bits to wear/’ 

think she’d like a new hand bag,” ven- 
tured Polly. ‘‘Hers is so gray and shabby. 
Would it cost too much? ” 

“No, indeed!” laughed Mrs. Jocelyn. 
“You shall buy the very prettiest one we can 
find. But before I forget it I must see about 
something else. I want your picture, and I 
know your hospital friends would like it, too. 
Wait a minute, and I’ll call up Fisher, and 
secure an appointment for this afternoon if 
possible.” 

She disappeared in the tiny room back of 
the staircase, set apart for the telephone, and 
Polly heard her voice, as she talked over the 
wire. “I have promised to have you there 
at three o’clock,” she announced presently. 
“That will give us a good two hours for 
shopping, if we don’t talk too long over our 
luncheon.” 

“Am I dressed all right?” queried Polly, 
anxiously; adding, “Who will want my pic- 
ture? The folks at the hospital see me all the 
time.” 


250 


A Bid for Polly 

“Oh, you precious bit of humanity!’’ cried 
the little lady, taking Polly in her arms. “If 
I should tell you that you will make so sweet 
a picture that everybody will want it, would 
you believe it?” 

“No,” Polly laughed, “because it would 
n’t be true.” 

Mrs. Jocelyn kissed her for answer, and 
then asked what she would like to give to 
David. 

“He has a knife,” mused Polly, scowling 
her forehead over the problem. 

“How would a sterling silver fruit knife 
do?” suggested the little lady. 

That was decided to be just the thing, and 
went down on the list. For Dr. Dudley, in 
addition to the photograph, Polly thought a 
nice handkerchief would be a suitable gift, 
and Mrs. Jocelyn wrote, “Box of H.” oppo- 
site his name. 

“Could I give Leonora Hewitt something 
to wear?” ventured Polly. “She thinks so 
much of pretty things; but she can’t have 
many, because her father is poor, and there 
are a lot of children besides her. Leonora is a 
sweet girl — and, oh, is n’t it lovely? Dr. 
251 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Dudley says now that she will get over her 
lameness, and be able to walk as well as 
anybody!’’ 

“That is delightful!” agreed Mrs. Joce- 
lyn. “You shall surely get a beautiful some- 
thing for Leonora.” 

“Don’t you think a pink hair ribbon 
would be nice?” Polly asked. 

Her hostess smiled over the modesty of the 
gift, and was about to suggest some article of 
jewelry; but she finally let it go as Polly had 
chosen, only adding on the paper, “and sash.” 

“We may change every one of these, when 
we come to the real selection,” laughed the 
little lady; “but the list will be a guide.” 

Nobody was forgotten, not even Miss 
Hortensia Price, an “Illustrated Browning” 
being against her name. 

They were on their way shortly after one 
o’clock, in Mrs. Jocelyn’s stately coach, 
drawn by the handsome iron-grays that were 
Polly’s admiration. It would be hard to say 
which enjoyed the shopping most, Polly in 
her innocent delight of giving, or the old 
little lady who was fast growing young in 
her new-found life. With a carriage full of 
252 


A Bid for Polly 


bundles, they drove up to the photographer's 
precisely at the hour appointed, and Polly, 
radiant from her joyful experience, made a 
picture: that charmed the artist as well as 
his patron. 

The next morning^s musicale was quite the 
feast that Polly had anticipated, and Mrs. 
Jocelyn’s was a twofold enjoyment. The 
little girl had feared that her white dress was 
too wrinkled for so grand a party; so her 
hostess’s maid had smoothed it into its ori- 
ginal perfection, and, to make good the hair 
ribbon that had been lost, Mrs. Jocelyn had 
bought an even prettier one — the palest 
blue sprinkled with forget-me-nots, and sash 
to match. 

After luncheon came the delightful task of 
giving the presents pretty holiday touches 
with fancy tissue papers and gay ribbons. 

We’re having the best part of it, are n’t 
we?” chuckled Polly, tilting her head to one 
side as she tied a pink baby ribbon around 
Leonora’s dainty box. 

The little lady did not instantly answer; 
then, dropping her work, she caught the sur- 
prised child in her arms with almost a sob. 

253 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


‘^0 Polly, Polly!” she cried passionately, 
must have you! I must! I must! You 
have taught me how to live, and you belong 
tome! O Polly! will you come?” She held 
her off, gazing pleadingly into her face. 

‘^What — do you mean?” faltered the 
little girl. 

^^My darling! did I frighten you? I mean 
I want you for my own dear daughter! I 
haven^t said anything before, because I 
feared the woman you have supposed was 
your aunt would not give you up. But now 
that you are free I feel that I must have you! 
I meant to speak to Dr. Dudley first; but I 
could n^t wait, dearest ! Don’t you want to 
come and live with me? I know it’s a 
gloomy old house, but I will make it all over 
into the sunshiniest home you ever saw. You 
shall have everything you wish! I will biiy 
you the very prettiest pair of Shetland pon- 
ies I can find, and the loveliest little car- 
riage! You can take your friends driving 
every day!” 

^‘That would be beautiful,” responded 
Polly, with a faint smile. 

And you shall have the nicest doll house 
254 


A Bid for Polly 


you ever heard of, and a whole set of furni- 
ture for your biggest doll ! I ’ll fit you up two 
of the prettiest rooms in the house, and fur- 
nish them in white and blue ! You shall have 
a new piano and take lessons of the very best 
master, and next summer we will go abroad 
and see all the wonders of Europe! Oh, 
there’s no end to the happy things we’ll do, 
if you will come and be my little girl! You 
will; won’t you, Polly?” 

^^Why, I — don’t know!” gasped the 
child. ‘^You take my breath away!” She 
looked actually distressed. 

^^Poor darling!” The little lady folded 
Polly in her arms. ^‘Of course you can’t 
make up your mind all in a minute! I’ve 
thought of it so long, I did n’t realize that 
it was news to you. I ’m such an impatient 
body! Talk it over with Dr. Dudley, and he 
will make things all clear. Now we’ll forget 
it, and finish up these packages. What do you 
suppose Leonora will say to her new ribbons? ” 

The voice was gay, so sure was the little 
lady that Polly, counseled by the far-seeing 
doctor, would make quick choice of so auspi- 
cious an offer. 


255 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


But Polly could not easily be won back to 
her former blitheness. She finished her part 
of the task in an absent-minded manner; yet 
by the time she was on her way to deliver her 
presents she was more talkative and merry. 

So splendid a coach was seldom seen on the 
poor, narrow street where Brida lived, and 
big-eyed babies and listless loungers watched 
its progress. Brida was at school; but her 
mother received with loud expressions of 
gratitude and praise the pretty doll carriage 
which Polly had brought. 

Elsie, in a still narrower, dirtier street, had 
a similar gift; while for the others of Polly’s 
hospital friends who had returned to their 
homes there were books and paper dolls, 
pocket knives and boxes of candy. It was a 
pleasant hour, yet Polly was not sorry when 
the carriage turned towards the hospital. 

Mrs. Jocelyn would not go in, and the 
little girl bade her good-bye with a clinging 
embrace. 

love you de-arly!” she whispered: 
which made the little lady smile happily to 
herself all the way up the street. 

Nobody was in the Doctor’s office, and 
256 


A Bid for Polly 


Polly lingered by the pile of packages which 
the footman had deposited on the couch. 
She was pulling out David^s present from 
under the others, the present that had finally 
been changed from a fruit knife to a fiute, 
when a voice from the doorway called out : — 

^‘Hul-lo, Pol-lee!’’ 

She turned, to see David’s merry face. 

“You can’t guess what I’ve got for you!” 
chuckled the lad. 

“You couldn’t possibly guess what I’ve 
got for you!” she retorted gayly. 

David’s eyes opened wonderingly, falling 
on the pile of bundles. Then he went back to 
his own secret. 

Putting his hand in his pocket, he drew 
forth what Polly had feared she should never 
see again. 

“My locket and chain!” she cried. 

David grinned happily, and passed over 
the necklace. 

“Where did you get it?” she questioned. 

“You may thank Cornelius for it,” he told 
her. “I met him down on Grant Street, and 
— I don’t know what made me — I hap- 
pened to speak of your losing this. He was 
257 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


interested all at once, and wanted me to tell 
him just how it looked. When I said the 
locket was set with turquoises, he clapped 
his hand on his side and cried out, ‘ I bet yer 
that was it ! I bet yer ^t was ! ’ It seems he ^d 
seen a boy — only this morning — showing 
a locket to a little kid, and he thought then 
it was queer he should be having a girhs 
locket round that way. Cornelius said he 
could get it easy enough if the boy had it 
with him. So we went round to the school, 
and waited till ^t was out. He had to go on 
an errand for his father this afternoon, and 
so was excused early. 

‘^Burt Sehl is the boy’s name, and Cor- 
nelius and I walked along with him till 
we got off the street — Cornel’ was sharp 
enough not to tackle him near the school. 
As soon as the crowd thinned out, he asked 
him if he had that locket, and at first Burt 
put up a bluff. Finally he admitted that he 
got it from Greg. Simpson; said he swapped 
a lot of tops and marbles for it.” 

“I shouldn’t suppose he’d have given it 
up,” cried Polly excitedly. 

David laughed. ^‘He didn’t without a 
258 


A Bid for Polly 


tussle; but Cornelius was more than a match 
for him — my! don't I wish I were as strong 
as he!" 

^^You will be some day," encouraged 
Polly. ^^But I'm glad I chose that book for 
Cornelius — it 's all about a knight ! " 

“What book?" queried David. 

“Oh, the book I left at his home for him 
this afternoon! I forgot," and she caught up 
the long parcel for David. “I hope you'll 
like that," she said. 

The boy's eyes glistened when he saw what 
it was. 

“Oh, you don't know how many times 
I 've wished I had a flute ! " he cried, fingering 
the little instrument delightedly. 

“What's going on here?" called Dr. Dud- 
ley, from the open door. 

“These are going in here!” flashed Polly, 
deftly transferring a square, thin package 
from the couch to the Doctor's pocket. 

It caught and held by one corner, but the 
physician did not leave it long. He looked 
at it critically, and then laid it on the table, 
and began untying the bright ribbon which 
bound it. 


259 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^^You have seen the hole in my Sunday 
handkerchief!^’ exclaimed the Doctor, dra- 
matically, his eyes a-twinkle as he opened 
the box. 

Polly and David laughed. 

; The handkerchiefs were fine and dainty 
enough to suit the most fastidious gentle- 
man, and Dr. Dudley expressed sincere ad- 
miration for the gift. 

Then the story of the locket had to be told 
again, and at its end David discovered that 
it was time for him to be at his new home. 

Polly began to look over the packages, 
picking out what she wished to carry up- 
stairs at once. 

Are n’t you going to tell me about your 
visit?” asked the Doctor, dropping into his 
easiest chair with a luxurious sigh of relief, 
after a hard day. 

The little girl’s face grew suddenly grave. 
In the pleasure of the last hour she had for- 
gotten the trouble that had been looming 
ahead of her ever since Mrs. Jocelyn’s pro- 
position. She laid Mabel’s doll back on the 
pile, and came slowly over to the Doctor. 


CHAPTER XVI 


A SECKET 



OU went shopping, I observe,’’ began 
Dr. Dudley, tentatively. 


JL. ^‘Yes,” responded Polly, balancing 
herself on the arm of his chair. “Mrs. Joce- 
lyn bought lots of things for me to give to 
people. We made out a list — or she did. 
She let me choose.” 

“That was kind.” 

“Yes,” Polly assented, and then studied 
the rug for a moment. 

The Doctor waited. 

“We went to a musicale, this forenoon, 
at Mrs. Trowbridge’s,” she resumed. “The 
little boy was there who plays the violin so 
beautifully. Mrs. Jocelyn got me a new hair 
ribbon and sash to wear.” 

“Did you enjoy those better than the 
music?” twinkled the Doctor. 

“ Oh, no ! ” The tone was almost reproach- 
ful. “One piece the boy played was lovely. 


261 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


I hated to have him stop. I wish I could 
play as well as he — no, I don^t either! I 
don’t want to!” she burst out fiercely. 

Dr. Dudley glanced at her quizzically. 

You seem to be a young lady of changeable 
opinions,” he smiled. 

Her lip quivered; but she struggled hard 
against tears. 

^‘Suppose you tell me all about it. This- 
tledown,” the Doctor said gently. 

^^Oh, don’t let me go and be her little 
girl!” she broke out. Don’t! don’t! I’ll do 
anything, if you ’ll only let me stay with you ! ” 

He drew her down into his lap, and soothed 
her with tender words. 

^‘Nobody shall ever take you from me 
against your will. Thistledown!” His voice 
was tensely unnatural. ^^Does Mrs. Jocelyn 
wish to adopt you? Did she say so?” 

I don’t know about adopting. She wants 
me to go and live with her. She said I could 
have everything, if I only would, — a new 
piano, and lessons, and two rooms all fur- 
nished beautiful, and a doll house, and go to 
Europe, and a pony — two of ’em — and, 
oh, I don’t remember half!” 

262 


A Secret 


And you are sure you wish to give up all 
that grandeur for this old codgery doctor who 
has n’t any money?” 

You are n’t old, and you are n’t cod — 
the other thing — and I love you ! Do you 
— do you want me to go?” she sobbed. 

^^Thistledown,” — and his voice was very 
tender, — think such an arrangement as 
Mrs. Jocelyn proposes would break my heart. 
Still, if you really would be happy in going to 
her, I trust I should be unselfish and brave 
enough to give you up. But I am gladder 
than you can guess that you have chosen the 
life with me.” 

could n’t choose any other way; but I 
love her, I love her ever so much!” Polly 
sighed. ‘^I’m afraid she will feel bad not to 
have me go. Oh, I wish there did n’t so 
many folks want me — first Aunt Jane, and 
now her!” 

“It must be rather troublesome to be in 
such demand,” the Doctor smiled. 

“It is,” responded Polly, between a laugh 
and a sob. 

They sat for a while in silence, Polly’s head 
nestled on the broad shoulder. 

263 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Finally Dr. Dudley spoke. ^^Can you 
keep a secret?^’ 

think I could — I know I could/’ she 
answered slowly; ^‘but I never have any to 
keep.” 

am going to let you into one,” he 
smiled; ^‘but you must n’t breathe a word 
of it to anybody.” 

^^Oh, I won’t! I won’t tell it as long as I 
live!” she declared solemnly. 

He laughed. “This will not be so great a 
tax on your patience as all that. I hope the 
secret will be out in a month. Thistledown, 
what should you say if I should tell you that 
Miss Lucy and I are going to be married?” 

Polly sat up straight, her eyes round with 
astonishment. 

“Truly?” she cried. 

“Truly!” he nodded. 

“Why-ee! I never thought as you liked 
Miss Lucy very much! You acted just as if 
you liked High Price better!” 

The Doctor’s shoulders shook with soft 
laughter. 

“And won’t Miss Lucy be nurse up in the 
ward any more?” Polly queried. 

264 


A Secret 


^‘Not after we are married. We are going 
to housekeeping. You know the little brown 
cottage just beyond Colonel Gresham^s?’’ 

The one with vines all over the piazzas? 

‘^Yes. That is to be our home.’^ 

Polly had dropped back on the Doctor^s 
shoulder, and he, absorbed in his happy 
dreams, did not look down to note the 
shadow that suddenly swept all joy from 
the little face. When she spoke again, it 
was the tone rather than the words that 
brought him to himself with a pang of com- 
punction. 

^^That — wonT be so very far away,’’ she 
faltered. 

“Oh, Polly!” with a quick tightening 
clasp, “you didn’t suppose we would leave 
you behind?” 

She glanced up in sudden wonder and 
hope. 

“Our home wouldn’t be home without 
you. You are going with us, to be our own 
little daughter! We have it all planned; it 
has only awaited your sanction.” 

Polly lay very still, big teardrops trickling 
down her cheeks. 


265 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


“You want to go, Thistledown?^^ the 
Doctor asked softly. 

“Oh,'^ she breathed, “I don't — dare — 
speak, for fear — it is n't real ! It is so beau- 
tiful!" She stroked his big hand with her 
slender little fingers. 

“It is very real," he smiled. “You 
need n't be afraid. We cannot give you the 
splendid things that you would have with 
Mrs. Jocelyn; but I can promise you all the 
love that any little girl could wish for. We 
want to make your life so happy that you 
will lose sight of the troublesome times that 
have gone before." 

“I could n't help being happy with you and 
Miss Lucy." And Polly suddenly sprang 
up, flinging her arms around the Doctor's 
neck, and resting her cheek against his with 
almost a sob. ^ ^Oh, I wish mamma knew!" 
she whispered. “Do you s'pose she does?" 

“We will surely hope so," he answered. 
“It seems to me that Heaven is nearer than 
some people believe." 

“It would make her so happy," Polly went 
on. “I do wish you could have known 
mamma. She was such a dear!" 

266 


A Secret 


“I am glad to have so close a friendship 
with her little daughter,” smiled the Doctor. 

Light raps at the door made Polly slip to 
her feet, and sent Dr. Dudley across the 
room. Polly hurriedly brushed away the 
only remaining tear, and looked up to greet 
Miss Hortensia Price. 

The nurse had come to talk with Dr. Dud- 
ley about a patient, and Polly went over to 
the couch, and searched among the parcels 
for a certain package. Her fingers trembled 
with joyous excitement. The world had sud- 
denly turned rose color. Every sorrow had 
flown away. Even the grief which had been 
ever present with her for nearly three years 
was for the moment swallowed up in the joy 
of believing that mamma knew! She came 
upon the package she sought, examined it 
carefully to make sure that it was the right 
one, and then went, a little shyly, to Miss 
Price. She waited until Dr. Dudley stopped 
talking. 

The lady received the holiday-attired par- 
cel with a surprised look. 

‘'Mrs. Jocelyn bought some presents,” 
explained Polly, “for me to give to my 
267 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


friends, and I chose Robert Browning^s 
^Poems’ for you. I hope you ^11 like it” 

^‘Like it! Why, you dear child! Miss 
Price dropped the book in her lap, and 
caught Polly’s hands in hers. How did you 
ever guess that Browning is my favorite 
poet?” 

“You said so, one day, when we were 
playing Authors, up in the ward.” 

“And you remembered!” She began un- 
tying the ribbon. “I was thinking only yes- 
terday that I must have a copy.” 

The volume was richly bound, and beauti- 
ful with illustrations. Miss Price fingered it 
with the caressing touch of a booklover. If 
her thanks were a bit conventional, Polly 
knew that back of them lay real gratitude 
and appreciation. 

The little girl went back to her parcels 
with an added gladness. She began piling 
them on her arm. 

“Don’t carry too many,” warned Dr. 
Dudley. “I’ll take them up for you.” 

“I will bring some along when I come,” 
promised Miss Price. 

So Polly put back all but two dolls and a 

268 


A Secret 


few small packages, and started upstairs 
humming softly a gay little air. 

Presently the song was hushed by happy 
thoughts. To think of living in a dear little 
cottage, all alone with Miss Lucy and Dr. 
Dudley! To sit down at the table, three 
times a day, with them both! And at bed- 
time! There was never room for jealousy 
in Polly ^s heart; but sometimes when Miss 
Lucy cuddled the littlest ones in her arms, 
her mother-hungry soul felt starved out of 
its rightful food. And now! — she could al- 
most feel the dear arms around her! She 
stopped halfway up the second flight, and 
bent her head reverently. 

“O Lord Jesus, I thank thee!^’ she whis- 
pered. ‘^Please let mamma know how beau- 
tiful it is going to be! For Thy Name^s sake. 
Amen.’’ 

The door of the ward was open; but so 
light were her footfalls that she stood on the 
threshold a moment before being noticed. 
Then came a shout and a rush and such 
frantic huggings that Polly and her parcels 
seemed in danger of coming to sorrow. 

'‘That is for Stella,” Polly finally managed 
269 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


to say, freeing a hand long enough to pass 
the box over one or two heads to the little 
girl beyond. 

This turned the attention in §tella Pope^s 
direction, and Polly hastened down the 
room to a cot where a little girl lay, her big 
blue eyes staring out in line with her pillow, 
taking no note of the commotion going on 
behind her. 

“Trotty, see what IVe brought you!” 
was Polly^s cheery greeting. 

The little four-year-old turned slightly, 
with a wavering smile. She was a strange 
wisp of a girl, and Polly was not in the least 
disappointed when she made no answer, only 
watched the fingers that were untying the 
bright ribbon. 

“Now — what do you s’pose?” smiled 
Polly, staying the cover a moment to make 
the gift of more effect. 

There was a look of expectancy on the 
midget^s face. A word of joy broke from her 
lips. 

Polly laid the beautiful doll in her arms, 
smiling to see the rapture in the big blue 
eyes. 


270 


A Secret 


Then a wee shadow crept over. ‘^Mine? 
All mine?’’ questioned the tiny one. 

^^Yes, all yours,” was the sure answer. 
^‘Is n’t it a darling?” 

Trotty did not speak, but hugged the new 
baby to her heart in a way that left no 
doubt. Polly wished that Mrs. Jocelyn were 
there to see. 

After the other smaller packages had been 
left with the several patients for whom they 
were marked, Polly said, in a voice that car- 
ried to all the cots : — 

‘^This isn’t all. There is something for 
everybody; but I couldn’t bring so many. 
Dr. Dudley and Miss Price are coming up 
with the rest.” 

That started a babel of joyous question- 
ing; but Polly was responsive and patient, 
and altogether so satisfactory, that the little 
sick people settled back on their pillows in 
supreme content, to await the coming of 
their presents. 

The others had heard, too, and pressed 
about Polly with eager talk. 

“I chose a doll for every girl that has n’t 
any,” she told them gayly, ''and I got 
271 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 

just as pretty ones as there were in the 
store/^ 

‘‘Say, what colored hair has mine?^^ ques- 
tioned Mabel. 

“Light, like Stella^s, I think.^^ 

“Oh, goody squealed the little maid. 
“And is it curly?’’ 

Polly nodded. 

“Wha’ d’ yer buy for Leonora?” queried 
a curious one. 

Polly threw a bright smile across to her 
friend, while she answered merrily : — 

“You wait! It’s something pretty.” 

“I guess Polly’s had an awful good 
time,” observed thoughtful Mary Pender; 
“she’s so full of fun.” 

Miss Lucy, entering the ward at the mo- 
ment, overheard the remark, as her eyes met 
Polly’s. 

The little girl waived a reply, and ran over 
to greet the nurse. 

“Is Mary right?” Miss Lucy smiled. 

Polly hesitated, growing grave. Then her 
eyes danced mischievously. “Just about 
right,” she answered softly. “It was ‘good’ 
and ‘awful’ both. But I had a lovely time 
272 


A Secret 


with Dr. Dudley after I came home — 
lovely!^’ 

Miss Lucy sent a quick searching glance 
into the happy eyes, and they fell before it. 
Polly feared she had told too much. But no, 
she reasoned, because the secret was also 
Miss Lucy’s. She looked up again half 
shyly. The nurse’s cheeks were very pink, 
and her lips were smiling. 

Precious child!” she murmured; and 
then she kissed her, a bit of favoritism which 
she seldom allowed herself. But there was 
now an excuse. Polly had been away. 

Shortly afterwards Miss Hortensia Price 
and the Doctor appeared, laden with hap- 
piness for the ward. The dignified nurse 
seemed in a holiday mood, to match her be- 
ribboned armful, and she remained to see the 
delight of the children, as they unwrapped 
their presents. 

Leonora lingered over the untying of her 
box, as if reluctant to risk the pretty flowered 
bit of pasteboard for what lay within. Polly 
went across to where she sat. 

‘^I’m waiting to know how you like it,” 
she smiled. 


273 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Leonora finally lifted the cover, and her 
long-drawn, ^^0-h!^’ of surprise and joy was 
enough for the donor. 

^‘It is just like mine,” Polly explained, 
“only mine is forget-me-nots on pale 
blue.” 

“That must be lovely,” said Leonora; “but 
I like this best for me — it don’t seem as if it 
could be for me!” 

She carefully raised an end of the broad 
white sash ribbon, and sighed rapturously 
over the beautiful pink rosebuds scattered 
along its length. 

“That is exquisite,” agreed Miss Price, 
coming to her side. “Pink is exactly the 
color for you. Polly has shown excellent 
taste in its selection.” 

“Oh, Polly always knows just what’s 
right!” praised Leonora. 

Miss Price did not reply, only smiled 
across to Polly in the friendliest way. 

“Is n’t High Price lovely this afternoon!” 
whispered the lame girl, as the tall nurse 
turned to admire a doll which was held up 
for her inspection. 

Polly nodded happily. Everything was 
274 


A Secret 


‘‘lovely” now. What a glad, beautiful 
world it was ! 

“My dear!” A pair of soft arms clasped 
her from behind, and Polly found herself 
looking up into Miss Lucy^s radiant face. “I 
believe you are a little witch!” she laughed. 
“You have given me just such a bag as I 
have coveted for a good many years, but 
which I never expected to own.” 

“I’m so glad!” responded Polly. “But 
Mrs. Jocelyn chose it — the kind, I mean.” 

She might have added that she should 
never have dared select one at that price; 
but she only smiled joyously. 

“Then I will thank you and Mrs. Jocelyn 
both,” smiled Miss Lucy, moving away with 
the other nurse. 

“Was n’t it nice of her to buy all these 
things for you to give to us!” said Leonora 
happily. 

Polly’s response was sober. She could not 
quite forget how sorry the dear little lady 
would be when she heard what had been de- 
cided. But her seriousness soon gave place to 
laughter. The ward was in too merry a mood 
to allow aught but mirth within its walls. 


CHAPTER XVII 


THE WEDDING 

T he next morning David called for 
Polly on his way to school, and the 
two went off together, the children 
waving good-byes from the windows. They 
returned, at noon, in love with their teachers, 
in love with the scholars, in love with their 
new books and all pertaining to the school. 
Such funny, interesting things had happened, 
and Polly told about them all dinner time. 

Leonora watched her two friends go back 
in the afternoon, feeling a little sad. If only 
she could go, too! But she was growing well 
and strong; Dr. Dudley had assured her that 
she would soon be able to run about like 
other girls. The sadness, after all, ended in a 
long breath of joy. 

The weeks before the secret came out were 
very happy weeks for Polly. Only a few days 
after her visit to Mrs. Jocelyn came a pack- 
age, a large, flat, nearly square package. It 
276 


The Wedding 


arrived while she was at school, and she 
found the children eyeing it curiously as it 
lay on Miss Lucy’s desk. 

It ’s for you,” announced Stella, and she 
said there must n’t anybody touch it. She 
would n’t open it herself.” 

Polly looked at the white parcel, and won- 
dered, too. She had been expecting the 
photographs; but this was too big for those, 
she decided. Hastily she untied the string. 
Miss Lucy came in just as she turned back 
the wrapper. 

^^0-h!” 

^‘Why, Polly May, you’ve gone and had 
your picture taken!” 

^^My! ain’t it splendid?” 

“Whew! bet that cost somethin’!” 

Miss Lucy caught a glimpse of the photo- 
graph, which brought her quickly across the 
room. 

Polly dear, what a surprise this is!” 
don’t think it looks much like me,” 
murmured the little girl, staring wonder- 
ingly at the beautiful picture. 

It was of large size, exquisitely finished in 
carbon, and mounted in a handsome folder. 
277 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


Why, it looks exactly like her! DonH it, 
Miss Lucy?^^ queried Mabel. 

“I think I never saw a better likeness,’’ 
smiled the nurse. 

“There!” exulted Mabel. “Say, what 
made you think it did n’t?” 

But Polly only laughed a little uncer- 
tainly. “Never mind, if you like it!” she 
told them. 

“Oh, here’s another kind!” piped Stella, 
whose curious fingers had discovered a 
photograph showing Polly in a different 
pose. 

This was full-length; the other was only 
head and shoulders. 

“There’s one more, I think,” said Polly, 
“where I had some flowers in my hand.” 

A hunt soon revealed it, — “the very 
sweetest of all!” Leonora declared. 

The girls hung over it rapturously. 

“Will you give me one?” begged Mabel. 

“And me?” — “And me?” — “And me?” 
chorused the others. 

“Polly cannot tell right off just what she 
will be able to do,” interposed Miss Lucy. 
“Dr. Dudley has n’t seen them yet. Suppose 
278 


The Wedding 


you run down and show them to him, 
Polly/^ 

Down the stairs skipped Polly, glad to get 
away from the too eager children. 

The Doctor received them delightedly. 
Polly watched him with thoughtful eyes. 

“Do you think they look like me?^^ she 
ventured at last. 

“Very much,’’ he answered, smiling at the 
anxious pucker between Polly’s eyebrows. 
“What is the trouble?” 

The pink in her cheeks deepened to crim- 
son. “I am not — so pretty as that,” she 
faltered. “You know I’m not. And I hate 
to give away such pictures. It seems as if 
folks would think I wanted to make out I 
looked better than I really do.” 

Dr. Dudley’s eyes were bent to the photo- 
graph in hand. He thought hard and fast. 
Should he tell her the truth, — that the 
beautiful black-and-white print, with all its 
exquisite softness, scarcely did justice to the 
delicate mobile face? 

“I wanted you and Miss Lucy to have 
one,” she went on, “and Colonel Gresham, 
and David, and High Price, and Leonora, 
279 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


and Cornelius — for he was so good to get 
my locket back. Then the rest of them — 
there are a dozen — I thought I ^d give to 
anybody that wanted one; but now — she 
halted appealingly. 

^^Well, if I were you, Thistledown,^^ and 
the Doctor threw his arm in a comradely 
way across the slim shoulders, ^‘1 should go 
straight along and give my pictures to those 
for whom I had intended them, with no 
thought about any lack of resemblance. You 
sat for the photographs, and you are not to 
blame for any possible mistake the camera 
may have made; so donT let it bother you.’’ 

She gave a little gleeful chuckle. It is the 
camera’s fault, is n’t it? I never thought of 
that. Well, if you think it’s all right to give 
them away, it must be; but it did n’t seem 
quite — honest, you know.” She looked up, 
still a bit anxious. 

The Doctor smoothed away the tiny wrin- 
kle on her forehead, and smiled down into 
the clear brown eyes. 

'‘It is perfectly right, Polly; in fact, it 
would be wrong to spoil so much pleasure 
for such a little reason. The pictures are 
280 


The Wedding 


far more lifelike than most people’s are, and 
nobody will stop to compare them with the 
original, feature by feature.” 

^‘No, I guess they won’t,” she laughed. 

You pick out the one you want to keep, and 
next I’ll let Miss Lucy choose.” 

Dr. Dudley watched her, as she danced 
away happily up the stairs. Then he studied 
the photograph before him, doing exactly 
what he had assured her that no one would 
think of doing; but his final judgment, like 
his first intuition, was not in favor of the 
print. 

The simplest of church weddings had been 
planned by the two most closely concerned, 
for neither had other home than the hospital; 
but Mrs. Jocelyn overthrew plans and argu- 
ments together. 

^^What is my big house good for,” she de- 
manded, ^‘if it cannot be useful at a time like 
this? You shall come and make it merry 
once more in its old life!” 

She ended by carrying off Miss Lucy for a 
whole week before the appointed day, and 
the hospital had to hustle another nurse into 
the ward which was both sorrowful and glad. 

281 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


That was a week of happy upsetting for 
the stately old mansion. Carpenters, elec- 
tricians, florists, and tradespeople of various 
classes, all joined in the joyous whirl. Dr. 
Dudley and Polly whizzed back and forth in 
the automobile, and the dignified grays were 
kept trotting to and from the house at all 
hours of the day and evening. 

It had been early arranged for Polly and 
Leonora to remain with Mrs. Jocelyn for the 
two weeks that the Doctor and his wife were 
to be away on their wedding journey, and the 
little lame girl, who now had only the tiniest 
limp, was in alternate rapture and dismay. 

^^To think, she would exclaim, squeez- 
ing Polly ecstatically, ^^of me being in that 
splendid house, with you and that beautiful 
Mrs. Jocelyn for fourteen whole days! But, 
oh, mercy she would cry, ^‘I’m dreadfully 
afraid she’ll not want me so long! I shall be 
sure to say or do something wrong! I ’m not 
used to grand folks like her;” and the joy 
would end with a sigh. 

Then it was Polly’s part to reassure her 
with laughing words, until the delight would 
come back to crowd out all fears. 

282 


The Wedding 


One large room in the house on Edgewood 
Avenue had been reserved for the wedding 
presents, and, although Miss Lucy had jest- 
ingly remarked that a little hall chamber 
was more than would be needed, the apart- 
ment was packed with love tokens long in 
advance of the day. Both the nurse and the 
physician had won many friends in their 
years of hospital service, and now all seemed 
anxious to show honor to these two who had 
helped to add length and comfort to their 
lives. 

One morning, just before starting for Mrs. 
Jocelyn^s, Dr. Dudley read this note to 
Polly: - 

My dear Doctor, — 

I have been wondering, ever since I heard 
your good news, how Polly was going to ride, 
inasmuch as two fill your runabout. I have 
too much consideration for the lady who will 
sit by your side to wish her always to bear 
the burden of Polly’s weight; so I have or- 
dered for you a car that will seat five without 
crowding. There is a place ready for it in my 
carriage house. That won’t be far for you to 
283 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


come, and it will be handier for me whenever 
Lone Star goes lame. 

Your sincere friend, 

Gresham. 

Lucky for me I happened to think of this, 
for it would get on my nerves to see Polly 
hanging on behind every time you and Mrs. 
Dudley went to ride. 

D. G. 

^‘What a funny man!^^ laughed Polly. 
‘^You^d think Lone Star went lame about 
once a week! But is n^t that a lovelicious 
present — a big auto! — my ! ’^ 

^^It is too much.^^ Dr. Dudley shook his 
head gravely. 

^^Why, he loves to do it for you,^’ argued 
Polly. ^‘Besides, it is not just for you,^’ she 
chuckled; ‘‘it is so he won’t have to see me 
sitting in Miss Lucy’s lap or ‘hanging on 
behind’! Would n’t that look funny?” 

The Doctor laughed, and put the note in 
his pocket. 

At Mrs. Jocelyn’s, Miss Lucy met them at 
the entrance. 

“I’m so glad you’ve come,” she cried. “I 
284 


The Wedding 


was wishing you would, to see what Colonel 
Gresham has sent me” 

Why — began Polly, and then stopped, 
blushing at having almost told about the 
new motor car. That was not hers to speak 
of first. 

Dr. Dudley sent a swift glance of appre- 
ciation in her direction, and followed Miss 
Lucy^s leading. 

^^That came for you, Polly, at the same 
time,^’ she said, handing the little girl a small 
square package. man just brought 

them.^^ 

“For me?’’ Polly’s eyes opened wide. 
“I’m not going to be married!” 

They laughed, while the young lady dis- 
played her gift, a necklace of pearls. 

“Oh, is n’t that lovely!” exclaimed Polly. 
“How sweet you will look in it! Do put it 
on!” 

But Miss Lucy declared that pearls and 
gingham dresses were not companionable, 
and the necklace was returned to its satin 
case. 

“Why don’t you undo your package?” 
inquired Mrs. Jocelyn. 

285 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


^‘Oh, I forgot!’^ cried Polly, in sudden 
compunction. Those beautiful pearls put 
everything out of my head.” 

She soon had the wrappings off, disclosing 
a small leather case. 

‘^What can it be?” she breathed. '^Oh, 
you darling!” gazing delightedly at an ex- 
quisite little watch. She caressed it with ex- 
cited fingers. ^^Why, there’s something en- 
graved in here!” as the case flew open, and, 
turning to the light, she read aloud : — 

To Polly of the Hospital Staff, in remem- 
brance of a stormy midnight and a sunshiny 
morning, from her devoted lover, David 
Geesham. 

^^And here’s something more,” she went 
on, scowling in a puzzled way over the quota- 
tion. ^‘It says, ^Blessed are the peacemak- 
ers.’ I don’t see what that’s for, do you?” 

The others smiled comprehendingly. 

^‘Why, dearest,” explained Mrs. Jocelyn, 
^^you know you brought the Colonel and his 
niece together.” 

‘^Oh, no, I did n’t do it!” protested Polly. 

286 


The Wedding 


wonder who didy” the little lady 
laughed. 

Miss Lucy was reading the Colonehs note, 
which Dr. Dudley had given her. She ended 
it with a silent chuckle, and the Doctor 
passed it over to Mrs. Jocelyn. 

^^Just like David the little lady de- 
clared. “He enjoys a bit of quiet fun as well 
as any man I ever knew.’’ 

Polly had gone back to her present, hang- 
ing over it in delight. 

“It is just the right kind of watch for a 
little girl like you,” admired the Doctor; 
“neither too large nor too ornamental.” 

“It is beautiful!” sighed Polly raptur- 
ously. “Is n’t Colonel Gresham nice to give 
it to me?” 

The Doctor smiled an emphatic “Yes,” 
which rejoiced Polly’s heart. She had been 
afraid he would shake his head, as he had 
shaken it over the touring-car. In that case, 
she reasoned conscientiously, she should 
have felt as if she ought to give back her 
watch. 

It was a six-o’clock wedding. The bridal 
procession formed at the foot of the stairs in 
287 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


the spacious hallway, marching its length, 
and then proceeding through the east draw- 
ing-room to the library, where the cere- 
mony took place under a canopy of roses. A 
troop of children attended the bride, child- 
ren to whom, as nurse of the convalescent 
ward, she had at some time ministered. The 
girls, two and two, gowned in silken chiffon 
of harmonious colors, had each a basket 
heaped with blossoms. Polly and*. Leonora 
came last of all, both in delicate pink, from 
the ribbons that bound their hair to the tips 
of their kid slippers, Leonora’s black braids 
in happy contrast with Polly’s fair curls. 
The boys, clad as pages, ranged, at regular 
intervals, on either side of the long line, car- 
ried light arches of vines and flowers, mak- 
ing a fragrant arbor for the others to walk 
under. 

The brief service over, the flower girls 
strewed roses in the path of the bridal pair 
all the way to the great west drawing- 
room. 

It was like a queen’s pageant in a vision 
of fairyland. The myriad lights, the gayly 
dressed children, the lavish profusion of 
288 


The Wedding 


flowers, the soft music floating from a bank 
of ferns, — all imited to make the scene un- 
usually dreamlike and beautiful. 

As the bride stood to receive her guests, in 
her simple white silk gown, the necklace of 
pearls her only ornament, Polly gazed into 
her sweet, thoughtful face, and longed to 
throw her arms around her neck and give her 
a loving hug. But she had to be content with 
only one little decorous kiss, and she con- 
soled herself with the words that had been 
singing in her heart all the day, She is going 
to be my mother! She is going to be my 
mother!’’ 

There were many guests, and it was long 
before the bride and groom were free from 
hand-shaking. Polly only caught glimpses 
now and then of the two she loved best. She 
was with a group of merry children, when she 
heard her name softly called. Turning, she 
saw Dr. Dudley in the doorway. She ran to 
him, and he led her into the library, where 
his bride was talking with Mr. Brewster, 
the lawyer. 

Mrs. Dudley drew her down beside her on 
the divan, and Mr. Brewster soon took leave 
289 


Polly of the Hospital Staff 


of them. The Doctor seated himself on her 
right. 

“This document/’ he smiled, tapping 
lightly the paper in his hand, “makes you 
legally our own daughter. We have just 
signed it, for we wanted everything settled 
before going away.” 

With a quick, graceful gesture, Polly 
wound an arm around each neck. 

“My dear new father and mother,” she 
whispered solemnly, as if it were a prayer, “I 
will be just as good, always, as I know how 
to be, so you won’t ever be sorry you made 
me your own little girl!” 


THE END 


($l)e 

CAMBRIDGE . MASSACHUSETTS 


U . S . A 


THE PROFESSIONAL AUNT 

By MARY C. E. WEMYSS 


‘*One of the most delightful stories that has ever 
crossed the water.” — Louisville Courier-Journal. 

*‘The legitimate successor of * Helen’s Babies.’ ” 

Clara Louise Burnham. 

** A classic in the literature of childhood.” 

San Francisco Chronicle. 

**Mrs. Wemyss is a formidable rival to E. Nesbit, 
who hitherto has stood practically alone as a charm- 
ingly humorous interpreter of child life.” 

Chicago Inter-Ocean. 

‘‘A charming, witty, tender book.” 

Kate Douglas Wiggin. 

‘*It is a sunny, warm-hearted humorous story, that 
leaves the reader with a sense of time well spent in 
its perusal.” — Brooklyn Eagle. 


i 6 mo. $1.00 net. Postage lo cents. 


HOUGHTON 

MIFFLIN 

COMPANY 



BOSTON 

AND 

NEW YORK 


MOTHER CAREY’S CHICKENS 

By KATE DOUGLAS WIGGIN 


A fitting successor to the far-famed Rebecca.” 

Boston Transcript. 

“Mother Carey is one of the sweetest and truest 
models of motherhood imaginable.” The Outlook. 

“A book to enjoy, a book to love, and a book to 
be grateful for.” Westminster Gazette. 

“A delightful book for girls, not to mention the 
boys and the mothers and fathers, is ‘ Mother Carey’s 
Chickens,’ one of the best of the many good stories 
that Mrs. Wiggin has written. . . . Mother Carey is 
a real human mother and her children are a lively 
flock of real youngsters, all different and all worth 
knowing.” Springfield Republican. 

“ A book to brighten and sweeten every home into 
which it enters.” British Weekly. 


Illustrated in color by Alice Barber Stephens. 

i2mo. $1.25 net. Postpaid, $1.36 



HOUGHTON 

MIFFLIN 

COMPANY 


BOSTON 

AND 

NEW YORK 












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